Ephesians 4:7- 5:7
Introduction:
This morning is part three and the final of this mini-series I’ve entitled, “What’s Important Right Now?”
With so many responsibilities and opportunities, what it really important right now?
I covered 4:1-6 last week which called us to “
keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
,” so let me pick up with this same thought about unity by understanding grace gifts.
Walk in Unity by:
“Each of us was given grace” – a gift, gifting’s, gifts
Paul’s teaching here echoes what he wrote in Romans 12.
Romans 12:1-8
Transition:
As we endeavor to understand and allow God’s sovereign choices to execute among us, the movement is a natural progression of maturity and growth.
“that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head– Christ–
16
from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
(NKJ)
Application
: Not so much, “quit being a baby” but understand and grow naturally in your progression of faith.
Transition
: From Gifs to Growth to Pursuit.
III.
Embrace / Pursue New –
4:17-24
What can we glean from these verses?
Lists of ‘unwise,’ ‘immature’ behavior / attitude
Transition
: So we are to be united, through the gifts/gifting of God, we grow and mature as a result and then we pursue the new man that we might, “Smell Right!”
Let me conclude this sermon and this series by saying to you that what is really important right now is that we smell right!
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
2
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
(NKJ)
5:1-7
Conclusion:
We are busy and we have set our priorities around those responsibilities and opportunities but what is most important right now are the keeping of the faith, the keeping of the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace, knowing who is who and what is what in the kingdom.
But Others – When All Else Seems to Fail
Hebrews 11:35b-40 Introduction: I started the year with Immanuel, God with us, then last week, ‘Getting Rid of Stuff’, and now I will spend the next two weeks to speak to you about the role of Faith in our lives. 11:1-2, ‘Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen: it gives…
Presence and Activity of Faith
Hebrews 11:1-2, 33-35 Introduction: I started the year with Immanuel, God with us, then last week, ‘Getting Rid of Stuff’, and now I will spend the next two weeks to speak to you about the role of Faith in our lives. 11:1-2, ‘Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen: it…
Getting Rid of Stuff
Introduction: ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by…
It’s All Good
Romans 8:31-39 Introduction: Last Sunday we gathered around this altar as we called on Immanuel. 8:31, ‘What can we say about such wonderful things as these? God works all things together for good—both His good and our good. As God is glorified, His people benefit. In Romans 8, Paul contrasts a life lived in selfish…
Christmas Presence
Matthew 1:18-24Introduction: Emmanuel – God with Us Jesus = ‘for he will save his people from their sins.’ List / describe some of the diverse people whom He saved: Application: What Jesus’ presence can do? Inner peace: Experiencing Jesus’ presence can bring a deep sense of calm and serenity even amidst turmoil. Healing power: Believers…
Christmas Persecution
Matthew 2:1-21 Introduction: Part 2 of my Christmas Series. Last week Christmas prophecy. This week let me look at what I’m calling Christmas Persecution. Question: That doesn’t sound like a good title or theme, does it? At the heart of what I want to say or communicate is that Christmas came and comes at a…
The Child of Promise
Introduction: My three-week Christmas messages begin with a prophecy about a Christmas to come. Scholars believe that Jesus fulfilled between 300 and 570 prophecies in the Old Testament: Scholars estimate that there are between 200 and 400 prophecies in the Old Testament that Jesus fulfilled as the Messiah. Some scholars believe there are more than…
The Joy of Happiness
I Thess. 5:18 Introduction: Last week I attempted to share and sort out the difference between thankful and grateful and how they are found among the abundant blessings we have from the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ‘Always be joyful (Rejoice always). 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s…
Thankful, Grateful and Blessed
Introduction: Thanksgiving – ‘It’s the most time of the year.’ Grateful and thankful are close synonyms that can both some differences between the two: One is active and the other is passive. State of being Gratitude is a mindset that’s a part of who you are, while thankfulness is the expression of that feeling. Focus…