Sermons on Ephesians
Jesus, the Perfect Offering
The first seven chapters of Leviticus describe five ritual offerings for God’s people: burnt offering, grain offering, peace offering, sin offering, and trespass offering. Each of these represent ways in which relationship with God is restored. However, these sacrifices must be repeated day after day. Jesus, however, is the perfect offering made once for all. As the writer of Hebrews says: “we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).…
I am a Citizen in God’s Kingdom
As a citizen of any country, there are things we come to expect. Regardless of where you live or grow up, if you belong to God, you are not just a citizen of your country, you are also a citizen of the kingdom of God. There are privileges and expectations that come with this: We live under the Lordship of Christ – His commands and direction as given in the Bible. (1 Peter 2:9-12; Ephesians 2:19-20) Sermon Outline Jesus began…
I am a Child of God
Different families often pass along reputations and traits that identify their members. Some families are marked by red hair. Having God as our Father brings with it many identifying markers as well – both privileges and obligations. Our identity as a child of God means that we rely fully on God and trust in His plan for our lives. (Romans 8:15-17; Ephesians 1:3-10) Sermon Outline “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”…
The Church: A People Called by God
The church is essentially a people who are called by God. We are called out of darkness and into His marvelous light. We are called from death into life. We are called by God, given a new identity in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:3-14) Sermon Outline “We, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:12) What is the Church? 3 Characteristics of the Church…
A Unified Church in Divided Days
A standalone sermon from Pastor Matt Erickson of Eastbrook Church on the divisions in our world, culture, and church today and an exhortation from Ephesians on how to regain and remain in unity. Ephesians 4:1-6 SERMON OUTLINE “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) A Prisoner for the Lord (Ephesians 4:1) The situation and calling of Paul the Apostle The calling of every Christian It’s all about Jesus Learning to…
Becoming One: the developing unity of the church as the community of Christ
We are one because of Jesus, but we are becoming one through Jesus. In Philippians Paul calls a community in tension, where divisions exist, toward unity by using their advantage to serve one another and move toward unity of mind and heart. This week will explore doctrinal and identity unity, equality of status and standing in Christ, and diversity of gifting and personality in the church. Ephesians 4:1-6; Philippians 2:1-11; 4:1-3; 1 Corinthians 11:18-19; 12 SERMON OUTLINE “In your relationships…
Made One: the positional unity of the church in Jesus Christ
The Gospel of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10) leads to the fundamental unity of the church as one new humanity (Ephesians 2:11-20). We are one because of Jesus. This is woven into the doctrinal realities of our faith (Ephesians 4:1-6) and the lived experience of the church as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12). Ephesians 2:11-20; 4:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12 SERMON OUTLINE “His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and…
Prayer as Living Within God’s Power and Love
We begin our journey into living prayer by examining Paul’s powerful prayer about the love of God in Ephesians 3. Prayer is essentially our link into the face-to-face relationship with the Living God, who is ultimate love. Key Passage: Ephesians 3:14-21 SERMON OUTLINE “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how…
A Crash Course in Spiritual Conflict
This well-known passage on the armor of God fits within living worthy of our calling in Christ by putting off the old self and putting on the new self. Spiritual conflict in the Christian life is a reality that cannot be ignored. Our victory comes through Christ, who clothes us in God’s armor and equips us with the power of prayer for living and ministry. Paul concludes with some final words of greeting and peace. Ephesians 6:10-24 SERMON OUTLINE “Finally,…
A Crash Course in Christ-Centered Relationships
Paul now applies the calling to live worthy of Christ by putting of the old self and putting on the new self to the sphere of relationships. Drawing upon the common household codes of his time, Paul reframes the basic social unit of the household with the Gospel calling of selfless love and consideration of the other. Thus, husband-wife, parent-child, and master-servant relationships are transformed through Christ as His people live by the Holy Spirit in the attitude of mutual…
A Crash Course in Christlike Living
In this longest section of the series, Paul walks through a depiction of Christlike living – “a life worthy of the calling you have received” (4:1) – framed as putting off the old self and putting on the new self (4:20-24). The old self was marked by darkened understanding and impure living. The new self is marked by renewal of the mind and holiness. Paul applies this to our internal desires, the words we speak toward others, our sexuality, and…
A Crash Course in Church Growth
Pivoting from theological discussion into life application, Paul urges the readers to “live a life worth of the calling you have received” (4:1). This section offers a theological framework for individual spiritual growth that fits within a framework for corporate spiritual growth. The individual parts of the body grow as the entire body grows through focused cultivation of unity, active use of spiritual graces, and formation by God toward maturity in Christ. Ephesians 4:1-16 SERMON OUTLINE “I urge you to…