Sermon Video: Getting a New Attitude - Ephesians 4:17-24

 

The Apostle Paul insists to his readers that they cannot live any longer "as the Gentiles do."  He then describes humanity apart from God, the result being bleak.  Instead, followers of Jesus need a new attitude to replace the old one, one that is like God's "true righteousness and holiness."

How are we to do this?  Elsewhere Paul makes it clear that the Holy Spirit's empowerment is our only hope.

What does this new attitude look like?  Stay tuned for the next three sermons as Paul gives practical examples of the change that we need to make.

Sermon Video: The Church that is Safe - Ephesians 4:14-16

 

We live in a world that is obsessed with safety.  We are more aware of the dangers that exist than our forebearers, and spend more time trying to protect ourselves against them.  But what about the Church?  What can we do to help protect the Body of Christ from the people/things that threaten it?

One part of the answers offered by the Apostle Paul in these verses is: serve others.  The maturity that comes from collectively working to serve others is a natural protective against both (1) false teaching, and (2) lying schemers.  Why?  When we are doing the will of God, and imitating Christ, we naturally turn away from the things of this world, and that orientation toward God takes us away from the things the false teachers tempt us with and scam artists or charlatans are seeking.

Sermon Video: Equipping his people for works of service - Ephesians 4:7-13

How does a Church grow?  In other words, what builds up the body of Christ?

The answer from the Apostle Paul is strikingly simple: acts of service.

In this text, Paul talks about how Jesus continues to give grace to his people, in the form of leadership gifting, in order to enable his people to serve others.

Sermon Video: A Life Worthy of the Calling - Ephesians 4:1-2

Given what God was willing to do to save you, how should you respond?

The Apostle Paul tells us that we must live our entire lives in a way that is worthy of our calling.  Calling from who?  From God.  Calling to what?  To self-sacrifice and service for the sake of the Gospel. 

How do we do this?  Paul begins to answer that question by telling us to be: humble, gentle, patience, and loving.  When we can demonstrate these virtues here among the people of God, it opens the door to being able to share them with everyone we meet.

Sermon Video: Beyond Our Imagination - Ephesians 3:20-21

What is God able to do?  More than we can ask or imagine.

What does that mean?  Set aside whatever ideas pop into your head about personal enrichment, God isn't in the business of giving you wealth, power, or fame because those ideas as much too SMALL.  God's plans and purposes exceed or imagination, they don't fulfill it.  

What God will actually do is utilize the Holy Spirit that resides within God's people to continue their process of transformation into Christ-likeness.  Remember, when Jesus performed miracles it wasn't the healing that caused the furor from his critics, it was when Jesus forgave their sins.  Spiritual miracles are far more impressive than physical ones, and God has committed to this transformation of each and every person that has been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb.