The Book of Ephesians

Submission and Authority This is a Bible, We like the Bible, right? We believe the Bible, right? How many of you have read the Bible and hit certain points where you think, “I have no idea what to do with that. I know it’s true, but that is a tough one for me. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with that part of the Bible”? Have you ever had that?   Today we are talking about Submission and Authority…

The Purpose of Marriage Bright eyed New couple, Excited to take on the world together.  The future is full of possibilities! 5 Years, Passion for the future has turned to passionate arguments against one another You have realized that you both have very different ideas of what life should or could look like. 10 years, weighed down by the burdens of life (begin to eat at one another) Resentment grows, Thoughts are invading your head, they are not pulling their…

Be Imitators of God Introduction The first 3 chapters – Doctrine, The last 3 chapters – Duty.    Antinomianism – those who preach sex, drugs, and rock and roll—what you find in the book of Corinthians – Christ came, God forgive all sin, The spirit has sealed us. We are secure in Jesus.  So now we can live as a prodigal. We should never forget that God’s ultimate goal for us is holiness. (1:4 – chose us before the foundation of…

A New Self Here is the big idea this morning – Your identity dictates your actions.  When you change your identity, it changes how you live.  Ephesians 4:17-24 Context/Story The larger narrative lands us in a passage that is focusing on the unity and maturity of believers. Chapters 1-3 Our identity, Chapters 4-6 our actions.  Salvation cannot be earned.  But there are some things we are called to live out as believers.  How do we do that? By putting off our…

Building Up The Body of Christ Introduction This will be my 3rd time preaching this text on a Sunday Morning.  My 2nd time preaching it here at Celebration.  Despite this being my third go at this sermon, I guarantee you that we will not have time to adequately cover all that is contained within.   Ephesians 4:1-16 Application!!!! walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.  This has built upon the calling we have been…

Far More Abundantly Introduction Youth ministry – Hundreds of people made decisions for Christ – almost a third of those who attended. (Salvation, Baptism, Pastor, Missionary) Truly amazed, what causes us to be so surprised by these things happening?   We serve a big God, and because of that, we should be shooting for big targets! Our text this morning tells us exactly that!  “God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think!” Ephesians 3:14-21…

The Mystery of Christ Introduction I don’t know about you, but I definitely love a good mystery, the best kind is when the hints are woven throughout the story as a foreshadowing of what is to come.  And when it all comes together it is all the more wonderful as a result.  Ephesians 3:1-13 Context/Story Therefore (for this reason) – Ephesians 2(1-7)Personal, Individual, Reconciliation, Vertical Reconciliation, Horizontal reconciliation, Gentiles are fellow citizens, God is bringing a diverse people to Himself. …

Horizontal Reconciliation I downloaded Tik-Tok this week, and lost any hope I had for mankind.  I saw two extremely different narratives,  I saw all the left leaning stuff.  Preferred gender pronouns, (people self Identifying as animals or inanimate objects), Black lives matter, abortion rights, etc…  A Lot of anger, and moral decay. Then on the other side I saw the right leaning stuff… This type of Christian nationalism, that places the constitution on the same level as the Bible. Who…

Ephesians 2:8-10 The church throughout history has attempted to add in some sort of human effort to the process of salvation.  The Catholic Church in the 1500’s were offering indulgences, (a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs)  Literally claiming that you could pay your way to heaven.  (Communion, Confession, Baptism)  Works vs Faith – How do we lay ahold of this salvation of God spoken of in the last 2 chapters?  And now having laid hold…

But God Salvation from God’s perspective (Chapter 1) Michael Huskey (the importance of growing in knowledge and understanding, and the supremacy of Christ over everything) Chapter 2 – Salvation from man’s perspective This is the biography of every Christian!  If your story doesn’t match up to this passage, I would ask you to consider the genuineness of your salvation.  Scripture calls on us to repeatedly, continuously, test yourself (examine) to see whether or not you are in fact “in the…