Ephesians 2:11-18 (NASB)
¹¹ Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands – ¹² remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, ¹⁵ by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, ¹⁶ and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. ¹⁷ AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; ¹⁸ for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

Theme: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is so powerful that it not only reconciles dead, wicked sinner to holy God – but it also brings true peace between people of all colors who were once hatefully divided.

Outline:

1. Separation (2:11-12)
2. Reconciliation (2:13-18)

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Ephesians 2:11-18 (NASB)
11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

Sermon Theme: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is so powerful that it not only reconciles dead, wicked sinners to holy God – but it also brings true peace between people of all colors who were once hatefully divided.

Outline: 1) Separation (2:11-12)

              2) Reconciliation (2:13-18)

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Guest Speaker: Pastor Andrew Fitzpatrick

Ephesians 5 (NASB)
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Propositional Statement: In Ephesians 5:1-5, Paul gives us five helpful steps so that we can walk in a manner worthy of our calling.

Outline:

Step 1 – Imitate God

Step 2 – Walk in Love

Step 3 – Divorce Sin

Step 4 – Give Thanks

Step 5 – Examine Your Walk

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Ephesians 4:1-16 (NASB)

¹ Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, ³ being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. ⁷ But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore it says, “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.” ⁹ (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) ¹¹ And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. ¹⁴ As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; ¹⁵ but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Note: The first 6 verses were covered in last week’s sermon

Introduction:

Review:

Theme: Four aspects of Christ’s gifts to the church to understand so you will commit yourself to its growth.

I. The gifts Christ gave – vv. 7-11

Four observations

1. The prerequisite for the gifts is grace – v. 7
2. The gifts were given when He ascended on high – v. 8a
3. The gifts were given to men – v. 8b
4. The gifts He has given are people in office – v. 11

II. The immediate purpose of the gifts – v. 12

The Equipping of the saints for the work of service

III. The ultimate purpose of the gifts – vv. 12b-13

Three elements to attain to:

1. The unity of the faith and knowledge of God’s son – v. 13a
2. A mature man – v. 13b
3. The measure of the stature belonging to Christ – v 13c

IV. The resule of the gifts – vv. 14-16

Three results

1. We are no longer to be spiritual children – v. 14
2. We are able to grow in Christ (which we do as we speak the truth in love) – v. 15
3. We are able to contribute to the growth of the body – v. 16

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Ephesians 4:1-16 (NASB)

¹ Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, ³ being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. ⁷ But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore it says, “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.” ⁹ (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) ¹¹ And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. ¹⁴ As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; ¹⁵ but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Introduction

Background

I. Your Christian walk is a priority for unity – vv. 1-2

II. Your Christian devotion must be to preserve unity – v. 3

III. Your Christian doctrine is the precondition for unity – vv. 4-6

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Your Focus in Christ’s Church

Ephesians 4-5
Introduction:

“The vitality of a congregation is not found in its size or in its programs or budget. The vitality of a congregation is found in its fulfillment of God’s purpose for the church. A church that has five thousand members and is growing may be just as unhealthy and ineffective as a church that has only fifty members and is declining. Conversely, a church with fifty members who are fulfilling God’s mission can be as healthy and dynamic as a church with thousands of members. Churches do not close because they lack members and financial resources. Churches close when they are no longer being effective in fulfilling God’s purposes for them.”

Glen Damon, Shepherding the Small Church
Three-fold Purpose of FBC
Looking up – this refers to our worship of God
Looking in – this refers to our work in the body
Looking out – this refers to our witness in the world

Theme: Three crucial needs of FBC so you will know where your focus should be as a follower of Christ.
I. We need Leadership Development    Ephesians 4:11-16

II. We need Personal Spiritual Growth   Ephesians 4:17-5:20

III. We need Marriage Enrichment         Ephesians 5:21-33

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Sermon20111030

The church is built up directly by the

Lord

Matthew 16:18
18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Acts 9:31
31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

Acts 16:5
5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.

Colossians 2:6-7
6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

1 Peter 2:5
5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

The church is built up indirectly through its

Leaders

1 Corinthians 3:9-15
9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Ephesians 4:11-12
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

The church is built up continuously by

your ministry

Ephesians 4:16
16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

1 Corinthians 12:7; 14:5, 12, 26
7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

14:5
5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.

14:12
12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

14:26
26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

Romans 12:4-8
4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Theme : Three duties through which the church glorifies God so you will commit yourself to its up building.

Outline:
I. Exalting God
Worshiping
II. Edifying the saints
Instructing
III. Evangelizing the lost
Reaching

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The Worthy Walk

Elder- Pastor Wilson explores Ephesians 4:1

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