Sermons on Ephesians (Page 2)
A Crash Course in Experiencing the Love of Christ
Paul pulls back the veil on his prayer life for the believers, which is focused on the love of God, the power of God, and the glory of God. The beginning of the prayer relates the interrelationship between knowing and growing in the love of God. This foundation of Paul’s prayer in Christ’s love leads into the fathomless power of God and the magnificent glory of God. Ephesians 3:14-21 SERMON OUTLINE Unity Through One Father (vs. 14-15) Christ’s Dwelling Place…
A Crash Course in the Church
Paul interrupts his train of thought to reflect on the grace God has given him as Apostle to the Gentiles. His reflection on his own ministry leads him to praise of God for fashioning together this new community, known as the church, which exists to display the “manifold wisdom of God…to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (3:10). SERMON OUTLINE His [God’s] intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known…
A Crash Course in Unity in Christ
The “mystery” of God’s work in Christ (3:6) is that Jews and Gentiles both partake together of God’s grace and are built into “one new humanity” (2:15) through the reconciling work of Jesus at the Cross. Hostility is replaced by peace, as God builds this community of Jew and Gentile into a new “dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (2:22). Ephesians 2:11-22 SERMON OUTLINE Everyone wants to belong. What happened? (vss. 11-12) Humanity’s Attempted Solution God’s Solution (vss.…
A Crash Course in the Gospel
This week, Pastor Matt examines Ephesians 2:1-10. and contrasts receiving bad news with receiving the good news of the Gospel. Ephesians 2:1-10 SERMON OUTLINE “But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.” (Ephesians 2:4-5) Bad News: Walking Dead (Ephesians 2:1-3) “dead in your transgressions and sins” (v 1) “the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air”…
A Crash Course in Knowing Christ
Because of the overwhelming blessings of God in Christ, Paul shifts fully into prayer for the believers that they “may know him better” (1:17). This series of prayers flows steadily into a reflection on the glories of the exalted nature of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:15-23 SERMON OUTLINE “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” (Ephesians 1:17) The…
A Crash Course in God’s Blessing
Paul works through the ways that God has blessed “with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (1:3). In and around his summary of redemption, adoption, and predestination in Christ, Paul offers up a series of prayers of praise to God for who He is and what He has done. SERMON OUTLINE “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3) What is…
Faith and Grace
A sermon from Senior Pastor Matt Erickson as a part of Eastbrook Church’s commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation with a weekend focused on two major Reformation themes: “Faith and Grace.” This message includes historical background and context of the Reformation, an exploration of three Scripture passages central to Reformation thinking on faith and grace (Romans 1:16-17; Romans 3:21-24; and Ephesians 2:8-10), and two cautions of the Reformation: division and hero worship. SERMON OUTLINE “For in the gospel…
Sex and Marriage
Key passages: Genesis 2:20-25; Song of Songs 8:4-14; Proverbs 5:1-23; Ephesians 5:1-2, 21-33 SERMON OUTLINE “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” (Song of Songs 8:7) Sexuality and the Covenant of Marriage (Genesis 2:20-25) Powerful partners in the world Covenant relationship and sexuality The Joy of Married Sexuality (Song of Songs 8:4-14) Timeliness Verbal intimacy Physical intimacy Emotional intimacy…
Maintaining the Unity of the Spirit
If we are to have true church unity then we must understand our calling and live it out. Unfortunately, most churches have forgotten their calling. That is what the apostle reminds us of in Ephesians 4:1-6. The Lord has determined its purpose is reflecting Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Paul puts it this way, live worthy of the calling we have received from Godhead, means, in a very essential way with humility, patience and love preserve the unity of…
Serving Together
Exploring what it means to be together as a community, as seen in the book of acts. (Acts 2:42-47) Sermon Outline ”Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23) Before Christ We Were Prisoners Prisoners to the sinful nature that ruled in us (Galatians 3:22) Prisoners to the law (Galatians 3:23) In Christ We Are Free (Galatians 5:1,13) Four Perspectives We Bring To Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to…
Growing Together
Exploring what it means to be together as a community, as seen in the book of acts. (Acts 2:42-47) Sermon Outline allelon—one another Useful tools use their words to build one another up rather than tear down (Ephesians 4:25, 29-30; Colossians 3:16) unwholesome—rotten fish teaching—instruct one another, share insights, truths, and wisdom with each other admonition—to warn or to caution others about danger or sin First—Check your _________________________________ (1 Corinthians 4) Second—Check your _________________________________ (1 Corinthians 4) Third—Check your _________________________________…
Working Through Conflict in Relationships
There are times where all of us deal with conflict in our relationships. How might we best honor God in our relationships at these times? What do we do when someone is driving us crazy? How should we respond when someone is goading us into the wrong response? How do we deal with conflict? (Ephesians 5:21; Matthew 18:15-20; Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14) Sermon Outline “For He Himself is our peace.” (Ephesians 2:14) Understanding Conflict (Genesis 3:12; 4:8; James 4:1-12) Developing…