Ephesians 4:17-32 - New Life New Look (Part 8)

Ephesians 4:17-32 

New Life New Look

(1) Characteristics of a dead heart: V: 17-19

Symptoms of Hardness of Heart:

• Darkened in their understanding, 
• alienated from the life of God 
• because of the ignorance that is in them

(2) Characteristics of  a New Life 

• To put off your old self
• Which belongs to your former manner of life 
• And is corrupt through deceitful desires,
• And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 
• And to put on the new self, 
• Created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness

(3) Characteristics of a New Look

• Speaking the truth
• Does not get angry and does not sin
• Thief will not steal, but will give to those who are in need Application:

What is my responsibility If God creates a new heart in me?

• I have to put off the old self and I have to put on the new self

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Ephesians 4:1-16 - Living in a Manner Worthy Of our Call (Part 7)

"Living in a Manner Worthy Of our Call"
Ephesians 4:1-16

I. There is a necessary disposition for a believer's worthy walk. (4:1-3)
       A. God's work in Christ is gracious, mysterious and beyond our imagination, "therefore" by the power at work within us, we seek to live our lives worthy of our call.
       B. Paul identifies himself as a "prisoner of the Lord."
       C. Believers in Christ are "implored" to the walk worthily of our calling.
       D. Paul names five characteristics of the believer's worthy walk.
              1. Humility
              2. Gentleness
              3. Patience
              4. Showing tolerance for one another in love
              5. Diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit

II. The church is implored to be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit. (4:4-6)
       A. The world seems desperate to redefine the church.
       B. Paul shares seven elements of unity in the Spirit for the church.
              1. One Body
              2. One Spirit
              3. One Hope
              4. One Lord
              5. One. Faith
              6. One Baptism
              7. One God and Father

III. Maturity is growing up to the fullness of Christ. (4:7:-16)
       A. There is diversity in our unity. (4:7-10)
       B. The purpose of the diversity of spiritual gifts is for the building up of the body of Christ.
            (4:11-12)
       C. How long? Until we grow up into Christ. (4:13-16)

PRACTICAL CONCLUSIONS:

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Revive Special Series 2014 - Politics and Christian Faith (Part 1)

Politics and Christian Faith Outline

1-2 opening songs?

Lesson (2 or 3 elders can split this section up)

Part 1: What is the proper view of government/politics?

-       Government and politics are a necessary result of the Fall;

-       Rom. 13:1 - Each ruler is part of God’s plan

-       Example: John 19:10-11 - authority was given to Pilate from above

-       America is not Israel - democracy vs. theocracy

-       America has been around for less than 300 years! Republicans & Democrats (& Libertarians) for less than that!

-       Our hope should be in Christ’s Kingdom, not government or a political party

-       Heb. 11:16, 13:14 - seeking a heavenly country.

-       Phil. 3:20 - Citizenship is in heaven

-       John 18:36-37 - Jesus’ Kingdom not of this world

Part 2: How should/can Christians be involved in government/politics?

-       We should care for the communities in which we live (Jer. 29).

-       We should display God’s character

-       Fruit of the Spirit

-       God’s attributes: justice, compassion, holiness

-       We should submit to government - even not great governments.

-       Acts 5:27-32 - Obedience to God first

-       Rom. 13:1-7, 1 Pet. 2:13-17

-       Mark 12:13-17 - Paying Taxes

-       We should vote. (Jer. 29)

-       We should shine as lights through careers, volunteerism, activism as God leads.

-       Gen. 1:26-31 - Created in God’s image

-       We display God’s image through pursuing God’s values. Justice. Care for poor. Care for environment.

-       Examples - Esther. Boenhoeffer. Wilberforce.

Part 3: How do we handle political disagreement?

-       See Parts 1 & 2!

-       Our goals are God’s goals. Not party goals.

-       Leave room for conscience in non-biblical issues (Rom. 14).

-       Be dogmatic mainly about Scripture’s morals & theology - not about it’s political application.

-       Pursue unity in Christ first. (Ephesians 2 & 3)

-       A Christian republican has more unity with a Christian Democrat than with a non-Christian Republican.

-       Prayer. For country, leaders, etc. (1 Tim. 2:1-4)

Discussion Questions (Have 3-4 Group Leaders)

-       What are good reasons why a Christian might not vote?

-       How can a Christian shine for Jesus in something as divisive as politics?

-       Should Christians all belong to the same political party? Why or why not?

-       If we must submit to government, is there ever a time when a revolution is appropriate? Why or why not?

-       What should we do if the government is corrupt?

-       What is the role of conscience in regards to specific political issues?

-       Are there any notable biblical issues that are linchpins in deciding how to vote?

Q&A Panel

-       2-3 elders plus 1-2 congregation members?

Audio:

Ephesians 3:14-21 - Knowing God (Part 6)

From Death to Life (Part 6)
Knowing God
Ephesians 3:14-21

1. Strengthened in our Inner Being, (v.16-17)
a. According to the riches of God’s glory, not our own
b. Strength that goes beneath the surface
c. Supplied by the Holy Spirit

2. Able to comprehend God in a deeper way, (v.18)
a. Both a Private and Public experience
b. The Love of Christ that surpasses knowledge

3. Filled with the Fullness of God, (v.19 - 21)
a. Christ is the Fullness of God
b. Sinners receive the fullest of Christ’s riches
c. God who is able to more than we can ever imagine

Audio:

Ephesians 3:1-13 - The Motivated Ministry (Part 5)

From Death to Life, Part 5
The Motivated Ministry
Ephesians 3:1-13
October 5, 2014

THREE THINGS PAUL KNEW THAT KEPT HIM MOTIVATED AND JOYFUL IN CHURCH LIFE AND MINISTRY
1. He knew who called him (3:1-7).
- Called by Jesus
- Called By Grace
- Called By Revelation
2. He knew what he was called to do (3:6-9).
- Preach Christ to Gentiles
- Display the mystery of the church in his ministry
3. He knew the ultimate purpose for his call (3:10).

Audio:

Ephesians 2:11-22 - Hope for the Hopeless (Part 4)

Death to Life: Hope for the Hopeless (Ephesians 2:11-22)

            A: Hopeless Condition (verse 11-12)

(1)   You were separate from Christ:

This can also be translated as without Christ.

(2)   Excluded from the commonwealth of Israel:

Commonwealth: “any group of persons united by some common interest”. This is literally "citizenship" (politeia). Gentiles were excluded from the people whom God had chosen as His own.

(3)   Strangers to the Covenants of the Promise:

This may speak of several covenants that God had made with Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:7-21; 17:1-21), Isaac (Gen. 26:2-5), Jacob (Gen. 28:13-15), the nation (through Moses, Exod. 24:1-8), and David (2 Sam. 7).

(4)   You (we) had no Hope:

Jews hope was in the promises and covenant of God with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. However, before Christ Gentiles did not share the same hope as Jews.

(5)   Without God:

Those who had no knowledge of God. (ä'-the-OS), English word atheist is derived from this Greek word. This is the condition of every man and woman without Christ.

B: Hope in Christ (Verse 13-17)

(1)   Far away have been brought near:

Gentiles through Christ are brought near to God. Even though, as Gentiles, we would have been kept away from the worship that the Jews enjoyed, now God has brought us near to Himself. Now  we can enjoy the intimacy of a personal relationship with the living God.

(2)   The dividing wall of hostility is destroyed:

Everything that needed to unite Jews and Gentiles is accomplished by Jesus Christ. Because of this reason we can have unity with people who are not like us. Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11.

(3)   The law is abolished:

Put an end to it - kä-tär-Ge'-ō.

This does not mean that the Old Testament is not inspired for the believers (Matt. 5:17-19).  Meaning the Law is not the means of salvation (Acts 15, Romans 4, Galatians 3)

(4)   Reconcile:

Bring back a former state of harmony

The way Jews and Gentiles are reconciled through Christ, all believers have the same hope through Christ for unity.

C: Evidence and honor of Hope: (Verse 18-22)

(1)   Access in one Spirit to the Father

(2)   No Longer aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people.

(3)   Members of God’s household

(4)   Built on the foundation of Apostles and Prophets

(5)   Christ is the chief cornerstone

(6)   And in him you (we believers) are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Audio:

Ephesians 2:1-10 - LIVING AS CHRIST'S MASTERPIECE (Part 3)

LIVING AS CHRIST'S MASTERPIECE   (Ephesians 2:1-10)

I.       We are His Masterpiece!

     A.  Our identity is in Christ Jesus.

                1. Individually, I am a new creature. (2 Corinthians 5:16-19)

                2. Why was a new creature necessary? (Ephesians 2:1-3)

     B.  His workmanship is a new creation.

                1.  Paul also uses the word poemia in Romans 1:20.

                2.  His new creation is the building of new race of people. (1 Peter 2:9-10; Galatians 6:15-16; 1 Corinthians 3:9; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 11:13-16; Romans 8:18-25)

     C.  CREATION ALERT!

                1. What is our tendency?  (Genesis 11:31-32)

                2.  What is the right question?

II.  How did we become His Masterpiece?

     A.  God's great mercy made us alive in Christ. (Ephesians 2:4-6)

     B.  God makes us alive by His grace for His glory. (Ephesians 2:7-9)

                1.  God's holiness demands justice, our deserved death. (Exodus 34:7; Ezekiel 18:4; Psalm 5:5; 7:11;

                2.  God's free undeserved work of love, grace, saves us. (Hebrews 9:22; Romans 3:19-20

                3.  Our access to this new state of creation is our belief, faith. (John 3:16; John 6:28-29; Romans 10:8-13; Ephesians 1:13, 15, 19, 4:20-24)

     C.  How can you be saved? (Ephesians 2:7-9; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Romans 10:8-13)

III.  The consequence of being created in Christ is "good works."

     A.  Our "good works" have been predestined. (Ephesians 2:10) Ephesians 1:4-7, 11-12; Galatians 5:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2 Timothy 4:14

     B.  Jesus' earthly ministry is our continuing ministry, our work. (John 17:18)

                1.  Our continuing work is to glorify God. (John 17:4)

                2.  Our continuing work is in the truth of God's word. (John 17:17)

                3.  Our continuing work is His kingdom lifestyle. (Psalm 37:3-4; Luke 9:23; Matthew 5-7; Matthew 25:25ff; Ephesians 5:1-2, 8, 15; Philippians 2:1-5)

                4.  Our continuing work includes seeking the lost for salvation. (Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:18; Matthew 8:24; Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 2:4; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 28:31)

                5.  Our continuing work is to be active members, for the common good of His body, His church. (1 Corinthians 11:7, 12; Ephesians 5:22, 23; Hebrews 10:24)

     C.  Revive Church is becoming His masterpiece. (Philippians 1:6)

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