Watch Your Step!

Ephesians 5:15-20

The call to be careful of how you live.

1. The imperative of having God’s wisdom. (15; Psalm 111:10; James 1:5-8)
2. The imperative of making the most of your time. (16; 6:13; 2:2-3; James 3:15)

The call to understand God’s will.

1. Understanding God’s will. (17; Psalm 32:8; Isaiah 30:21; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 4:3)
2. The foolishness of not understanding God’s will. (17, 15; Proverbs 1:7; 14:16; 17:12; 28:26; James 4:14-17)

The call to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.

1. The analogy to being drunk with wine. (18; Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-34; Luke 2:40; Colossians 3;16)
2. Some results, evidence of being controlled by the Holy Spirit. (19-20; ; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Copycats!

Ephesians 5:1-14

Theme: God’s people should be godly.

A life of love.

1. The compelling reason. (1)
2. The living example. (2)

A life of purity.

1. Things to avoid. (3-5, 7, 11)
2. “But why?” (5-11)

A life of light.

1. A present reality. (8)
2. Some practical implications. (8-14)

Practical Christianity, Part 2

The new Godly lifestyle includes…

3. Working to provide and share. (28)

a. Stealing.

b. Working to provide and share.

(see also Genesis 3:15-19; Colossians 3:23-24;

1 Thessalonians 4:10-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy

5:8; Romans 12:13)

4. Living in harmony with the Holy Spirit. (30)

a. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.

b. “Why not?” (see also 1:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:19)

5. Understanding and forgiving each other. (32)

a. Understanding each other through being kind and

tenderhearted.

b. Giving each other the grace of forgiveness. (see also

Colossians 3:13)

Practical Christianity, Part 1

The New Godly Lifestyle Includes…

1. Truthful, edifying speech.

a. Send falsehood on a one-way trip out of your life. (25)

b. Make truth an absolute monarch in your life. (25)

c. Speak to build, encourage and strengthen others. (29, 31)

2. Sin-free anger.

a. Cancel sinful anger.

(26, 27, 31; see also James 1:19-20)

b. Embrace sin-free anger.

(26; see also Deuteronomy 6:15, 9:8, 20;

Mark 3:1-6; John 3:36; Romans 1:18; Revelation 19:15)

A View of Both Sides of the Cross

Ephesians 4:17-24

Theme: Living worthy of your calling means a new lifestyle.

The view of the old self before the cross.

1. The picture. (17; see also Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:17, 12:8)
2. The process. (18-19, 22; see also 5:5; Romans 1:18-32; Galatians 6:8; Colossians 3:5-11)
3. The practice. (19; see also Romans 1:24-32)

The view of the new self after the cross.

1. The starting point: a decisive change. (20-22, 24; see also Romans 6:4, 6, 14, 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:9-10; Hebrews 12:1)
2. The process: a progressive growth. (23; see also John 17:17; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18)

Sermon #12 in a series in the book of Ephesians.

Our Gifts At Work

Theme: God gives believers gifts to perform their work.

God’s gifts of people to the church.

1. Apostles. (11)
2. Prophets. (11)
3. Evangelists. (11)
4. Pastors-teachers. (11)

God’s gifts to people of the church.

1. The temporary sign gifts. (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Peter 4)
2. The permanent edifying gifts. (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Peter 4)

The purpose and result of God’s gifts.

1. The purpose. (12-16; 1 Corinthians 12:7; 14:12)
2. The results. (12-16)

Ephesians 4:1-6, sermon #11 in a series on the book of Ephesians.

Theme: Position and practice are equal partners in healthy faith.

The importance of linking and balancing position and practice.

1. “Therefore”—looking back to our position. (1)
2. “Therefore”—looking forward to our practice. (1)

Some first steps in linking and balancing practice with position.

1. In your character. (2 a)
2. In your relationships with others. (2 b - 6)

#10 in a series on the book of Ephesians

Ephesians 3:14-21

The Real Divine Design

Theme: God’s design for you is to be spiritually mature.

God’s purpose for you.

To bring glory to God forever. (21)

(see also Isaiah 43:6-7; Matthew 5:16; John 15:8, 17:1-5; Romans 15:5-7; Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 9:13)

God’s goals for you.

1. To be strengthened in the core of your being. (16; (see also 1:17; 2 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Peter 4:11; Revelation 19:1, 21:23)
2. To have Christ at home in your heart. (17; see also Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27)
3. To comprehend and experience the love of Christ. (17-18; see also Romans 5:5)
4. To be filled up to all the fullness of God. (18-19; see also Isaiah 48:8; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 1:23, 4:13; Colossians 3:10)

God’s guarantee for you.

1. God is more than able to accomplish His purpose and goals for you. (20, 16; see also 3:20, 4:11-13; Philippians 1:6)
2. God is always at work within you. (20, 16; see also 1:19; 1 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 2:13)

The Privilege of Ministry, #9 in a series on Ephesians

Theme: Every believer has the privilege of ministry.

Ministry—the basic concepts.

1. Stewardship. (2; see also 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; Colossians 1:25; 1 Peter 4:10)
2. Ministry. (7; see also Acts 20:22-24, 26:16; Romans 15:15-16; 1 Corinthians 12:5; 2 Corinthians 4:1; Colossians 1:23, 25-27, 4:17; 2 Timothy 4:5)

Ministry—the essential foundation.

1. A gift of God’s grace. (2, 7, 8)
2. A gift of God’s power. (7; see also 3:20)
3. A part of God’s eternal purpose. (11-12)
4. A call to hardship and suffering. (13; see also Acts 5:41; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 1:12, 2:3; 2 Timothy 2:9-10, 3:12, 4:5)

Ministry—the wonderful benefits.

1. For the benefit of others. (2, 4-6, 8, 9, 13)
2. For the benefit of angels. (10)

Peace . . . Real Peace

Ephesians 2:11-22

Theme: Jesus Christ is our peace.

Our pervasive lack of peace.

1. Alienated from God. (12-13, 19)
2. Alienated from each other. (11-12, 14)

God’s provision of perfect peace.

1. Peace between God and us. (13, 15-18)
2. Peace between each other. (13, 15-22)