Devoted Church

Elf

Joy isn’t DEPENDENT on our circumstances.

“Joy is the positive confidence I feel from knowing and trusting God regardless of the circumstances.” — Pastor Ed Young, Author

Galatians 5:22 “the fruit of the Spirit is…joy."

2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV)

Hebrews 12:2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross,

Luke 1:46-49“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. (CSB)

Joy comes from KNOWING Him.

John 10:14,15 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. (NIV)

God is a God of Joy which is why we can find our joy in Him.

Psalm 16:11 In His presence is fullness of Joy

“Following after God is the desire of happiness; to reach God is happiness itself.” — Augustine

Philippians 3:8 I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ

Joy can be CONTAGIOUS.

Luke 2:17,18 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished.

“Christmas is the greatest day in the whole wide world...The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Buddy the Elf

Rest and Be Thankful

Question:
When was the last time you stopped to rest and be thankful?

Read Luke 10:38-42
38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”


*Show spinning plate pictures….
I. What are your spinning plates?

II. Don’t get distracted


Luke 10:40
40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

III. Focus on what matters most


Matthew 11:28-30
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Luke 5:16 NIV
16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.


Ultimately Jesus holds our lives together not us…


-Rest is not an obligation but an invitation. -Brady Boyd Pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado


Colossians 3: 15-17
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

ETERNITY
Driven By Eternity

Ecclesiastes 3:11 God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart.
"What we do in life echoes in eternity” - Maximus (Gladiator)
1. The Judgement Seat of Christ
2 Corinthians 5:9-10 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (CSB)
Picture: Bema
Because of Jesus Christ, we will not be judged for our sins because they have already been paid for on the cross.
John 5:24 Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life. (CSB)
Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. (CSB)
We are NOT saved by works, but we are saved FOR works.
Ephesians 2:8-10 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. (CSB)
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (CSB)
The Judgement seat of Christ will be a place of Revelation.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…(CSB)
The Judgement seat of Christ will be a place of Rewards.
2 Corinthians 5:10 …so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (CSB)
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire. (CSB)

Time

Ephesians 5:16 …making the most of the time, because the days are evil. (CSB)

Talents

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. (CSB)

Treasure

1 Timothy 6:17-19 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life. (CSB)

“Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” - C.T. Studd
2. The Great White Throne Judgement
Revelation 20:11-13,15 Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books…. And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (CSB)

• Ecclesiastes 3:11 God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart (NLT)
• "This life is a dressing room for eternity” — Leonard Ravenhill
• Revelation 19:6-9 Then I heard something like the voice of a vast multitude, like the sound of cascading waters, and like the rumbling of loud thunder, saying, Hallelujah, because our Lord God, the Almighty, reigns! Let us be glad, rejoice, and give him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has prepared herself. She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb!” (CSB)
• 1Thessalonians 4:13-18 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (CSB)
• “Caught Up”: The meaning is derived from the Latin word “rapturo” which is where we get the word rapture from.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 About the times and the seasons: Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. (CSB)
• Matthew 24:36 “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone. (CSB)
1. Prepare with Perspective
• Philippians 3:20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. (CSB)
• Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ (ASV)
2. Prepare with Passion
• Jude 1:20-21 But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. (CSB)
• 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer (CSB)
• Ephesians 6:24 Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ. (CSB)
• Revelation 2:3-5 I know that you have persevered and endured hardships for the sake of my name, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (CSB)
3. Prepare with Purity
• 1 John 3:1-3 See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him. Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is. And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure. (CSB)
• Purifies: To cleanse, purify, either ceremonially, actually, or morally
• Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.
4. Prepare with Participation
• Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching. (CSB)
5. Prepare with Perseverance
• James 1:12 Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (CSB)
• Matthew 24:13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (CSB)
• Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (NIV)
• 1 Corinthians 1:8-9 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; you were called by him into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (CSB)
• Jude 1:24-25 Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen. (CSB)
• “Holding firmly, I am held” - Charles Spurgeon
2 Peter 3:3-9
“Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days scoffing and following their own evil desires, saying, “Where is his ‘coming’ that he promised? Ever since our ancestors fell asleep, all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.” They deliberately overlook this: By the word of God the heavens came into being long ago and the earth was brought about from water and through water. Through these the world of that time perished when it was flooded. By the same word, the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” (CSB)

ETERNITY
Living for Eternity

Ecclesiastes 3:11 God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart (NLT)
Jeremiah 10:10 But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and eternal King (CSB)
1. ETERNITY IS IN EVERYONE
Ecclesiastes 3:11 God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. (NLT)
2. ETERNITY IS EVERYWHERE
Eternity is Revealed through Creation

Romans 1:18-20 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. (CSB)
Eternity is Revealed through our Conscience

Romans 2:14-15 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. (NLT)
3. ETERNITY IS EVERLASTING

James 4:13-14 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
Two Options: Heaven or Hell

Revelation 21:1-8 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

UNITED
Week 8: Standing Firm in Christ

• “Until we come to terms with war as the context of our days, we will not understand life…you won't see clearly what has happened to you or how to live forward from here, unless you see it as battle. A war against your heart.” - John Eldredge, Waking the Dead

Ephesians 6:10-12 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

1. The Enemy
> The Leader - The Devil

Revelation 12:7-9 Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.

> Satan’s Strategies
Ephesians 6:11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

> Satan’s Army

Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Colossians 2:15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

2. The Equipment

Ephesians 6:13-17 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

3. The Energy
Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Ephesians 6:19-20
And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should “Life is war. That’s not all it is. But it is always that. Our weakness in prayer is owing largely to our neglect of this truth. Prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the powers of darkness and unbelief. It is not surprising that prayer malfunctions when we try to make it a domestic intercom to call upstairs for more comforts in the den. God has given us prayer as a wartime walkie-talkie so that we can call headquarters for everything we need as the kingdom of Christ advances in the world. Prayer gives us the significance of frontline forces and gives God the glory of a limitless Provider. The one who gives the power gets the glory…” - John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad

UNITED
Week 7: Families in Christ
• Even when the world is divided, the church of Jesus Christ is called to be United.
• “For the first time in its history, Western civilization is confronted with the need to define the meaning of the terms 'marriage' and ‘family.’ What until now has been considered a 'normal' family, made up of a father, a mother, and a number of children, has in recent years increasingly begun to be viewed as one among several options, which can no longer claim to be the only or even superior form of ordering human relationships.”
- Andreas J. Köstenberger
Ephesians 5:21-31 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body. As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”
Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
1. The Calling: God has Called Each Spouse to Play a Role in Serving Each Other within their Marriage.
Picture: Slow Dance

Ephesians 5:22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
> The Wife is Called to Serve Her Husband through Christ-Like Submission.
Submission is not:
1 ) Submission does not mean a wife is inferior to her husband.
2 ) Submission is not agreeing on everything.
3 ) Submission does not justify abusive relationships.
4 ) Submission does not mean that Women are not strong, valuable or incapable.
“The woman described in Proverbs 31:10 – 31 wasn’t some passive, mindless person standing around waiting to be told what to do. This lady was awesome. She had her MBA, because the Bible says she negotiated with merchants from afar. She had her real estate license, because she bought and sold property. She also managed the family’s finances, supervised a household staff, and had her own ministry to the poor. But in terms of her marriage, she used her considerable skills in such a way that they enhanced her husband in his role instead of usurping him or tearing him down. Proverbs 31: 23 says her husband was one of the leaders in town who was well known, which suggests that he benefited from his wife’s ministry. - Tony Evans

1 ) The Motive: Submission begins with Adoration for Jesus.
Ephesians 5:22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
2 ) The Mindset: Submission is a Gift that you offer to your husband.
“I discovered here that my submission in marriage was a gift I offered, not a duty coerced from me.” - Kathy Keller
3 ) The Method: Submission is Honoring Your Husband.

Ephesians 5:23-24,33 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything… So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
1 Corinthians 11:3 But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
> The Husband is called to Serve His Wife through Christ-Like Leadership.
Ephesians 5:23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church.

Ephesians 1:22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.

Ephesians 5:25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her.

1 ) He’s Passionate about His Wife

2 ) He’s not Passive with His Wife
3 ) He’s Protective of His Wife
Ephesians 5:28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself.

4 ) He Prioritizes His Wife
Ephesians 5:29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.

5 ) He Provides for His Wife

“Eve was not taken out of Adam's head to top him, neither out of his feet to be trampled on by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and near his heart to be loved by him.” - Matthew Henry
2. The Commission: Marriage is meant to display the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:30-32 And we are members of his body. As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, or this is the right thing to do.
>Obedience to your Parents is a Command.
Ephesians 6:2-3 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

> Obedience to your Parents brings blessing to your life.
Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
> Parents are called to Encourage their kids and disciple them.

UNITED
New Life in Christ - Pt. 2
• Even when the world is divided, the church of Jesus Christ is called to be United.
• Picture: United Prayer Night
1. Live in Love
Ephesians 5:1-2 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

1John 4:16 God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
John 15:13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
2. Live Pure
Ephesians 5:3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.

Pew Research Center survey: When it comes to sex between unmarried adults who are in a committed relationship, the gap between Christians and the unaffiliated is less stark: roughly 79%, religiously unaffiliated Americans say it’s okay. A majority of Christians, 57% say sex between unmarried adults in a committed relationship is sometimes or always acceptable.

Stats from integrityjourney.org:
• Every second=$3,075.64 is being spent on pornography ($10,800,000 an hour.)
• Every second=28,258 Internet users are viewing pornography.
• Every second=372 Internet users are typing adult search terms into search engines.
• Every 39 minutes= a new pornographic video is being created in the United States.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.
Ephesians 5:4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
Ephesians 5:5-6 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.
Picture: Tsunami
3. Live in the Light
Ephesians 5:7 Don’t participate in the things these people do.
> Living in the Light means not Participating in Darkness anymore.
Ephesians 5:8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

Colossians 1:12-13 …giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. (ESV)

1 John 1:5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.
Ephesians 5:9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
> Living in the Light means Producing Fruit in our lives.

1) Doing Good Works

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

2) Living Righteously

Ephesians 4:24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

3) Speaking Truthfully
Ephesians 4:15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love.
> Living in the Light means Pleasing the Lord.
Ephesians 5:10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
> Living in the Light means Proclaiming the Truth of Christ to those who are Lost.
Ephesians 5:11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.
Ephesians 5:13-14 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
4. Live Wisely
Ephesians 5:15-18 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life.
5. Live in the Spirit
Ephesians 5:18-20 Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Even when the world is divided, the church of Jesus Christ is called to be United.

UNITED BY OUR CALLING

Ephesians 4:1 (NLT)

UNITED BY OUR CONDUCT

Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)
Phillipians 2:3-4 (NLT)
Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)
Ephesians 4:3 (NLT)

UNITED BY OUR CONFESSION

Ephesians 4:4-6 (NLT)

UNITED BY OUR CONTRIBUTION

Ephesians 4:7 (NLT)
Ephesians 4:8 (NLT)
Ephesians 4:9-10 (NLT)
Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT)

1) Equip God’s people to do his work.

2) Build up the Church.

Ephesians 4:13 (NLT)

1) Unity

2) Intimacy

3) Maturity

SIGNS OF CHRISTIAN MATURITY:

Ephesians 4:13 (NLT)

- They display Christlikeness.

Ephesians 4:14 (NLT)

- They display Doctrinal Stability.

Ephesians 4:15 (NLT)
Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)

4 ) Healthy Community

UNITED: Diversity in Christ

Even when the world is divided, the church of Jesus Christ is called to be United.

1. THE SEPARATION

Ephesians 2:11-12 (NLT)

2. THE RECONCILIATION

Ephesians 2:13 (NLT)

- God reconciled us to Himself.

Ephesians 2:14 (NLT)

Ephesians 2:15-18 (NLT)

“Jesus created a new multi-ethnicity called the church.” – Dr. Derwin Gray

3. THE UNIFICATION

Ephesians 2:19-22 (NLT)

4. THE REVELATION

Ephesians 3:1-11 (NLT)

“There is no institution more equipped and capable of bringing transformation to the cause of reconciliation than the church. But we have some hard work to do.” - John Perkins

HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND?

1. We have to Prioritize the “3rd race”.

2. We have to Put on love and empathy above our rights and opinions.

Colossians 3:11-14 (CSB)

3. We have to Pray.