|
Description:
|
|
Bringing the Future Into the Present: Ephesians
So many of the Old Testament passages prophesied of the coming Messiah and his people and this is happening now in our time and what we find in the Gospels and in Paul's writings is the working out of what this new people will look like. So do we look like that do we look like in live like the people at the New Testament describes? What does it look like for us to be a shining light in Oakland County?
Ever been to a Christian concert and stayed in a hotel with mainly Christians?
Ever been to Wal-Mart on Black Friday?
As citizens of heaven, we are to bring God’s presence everywhere we go. We are to bring the future into the present.
Imagine you send an email and literally a trillion emails flood your inbox and it causes a traffic jam because everyone is rushing to your house to help you.
When we have everything in the next life, what is left to desire? The desire to serve. So you can see now why Jesus is crafting servants, because thats whats going to work in the future economy.
EPHESIANS
Ephesians 3:10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
The following texts give instructions for how we will display God’s wisdom as a church.
Its how we will bring the future into the present.
Ephesians 4:1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.
Ephesians 4:17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.
Ephesians 4:22–24
22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Thespian, for me to live is Christ.
Ephesians 4:25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.
Ephesians 4:31–32
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Do you know why forgiveness is so important? Bc without forgiveness you cannot be restored. Instead you are locked into your bitterness, so how do we bring God’s presence, which is full of forgiveness, when we don’t forgive.?
Ephesians 5:1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Ephesians 5:8 So live as people of light!
Ephesians 5:10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
Ephesians 5:15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 6:10–18
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
The battle Paul imagines is not aggressive, but it means treating believers with respect, with generosity, and extending forgiveness.
CONCLUSION:
You are to play a great role in the drama of history and all the world is your stage, and the role you are to play is that of Christ.
“Jesus paid it all, leads to “all to Him I owe.”
The mission of the church is to live as citizens of heaven in Gospel community through every interaction and in doing this we shine like lights, and through this we bring the future into the present.
So how are we doing? Are we shining like lights?
To live like a citizen of heaven means investing in other people:
1 Thessalonians 2:19
After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! 20 Yes, you are our pride and joy
I don’t need a big budget, a fancy building, or expensive music equipment to live out the mission of God, but you know what I do need. I need you. I need the church. I can’t do the mission without Gospel community, so why do American Christians so often treat the church like its optional.
Would that we would enter every circumstance, every situation with the intent to live out what it means to be a citizen of heaven without having to be reminded.
We want God’s blessing. Perhaps we have been looking in the wrong places for it. I believe to the degree that we live out the mission as the people of God now with the resources each of us has now, that God will bless us so we can do more of what we have already been doing.
1a. How would you state the mission of the church?
1b. What statement was repeated throughout the sermon to describe the church's mission? Please explain what this statement means.
(Answer: The church's mission is to bring the future into the present)
2a. How would you state the mission of the church using texts from Ephesians?
2b. What is the difference between stating the mission is to give the Gospel vs. the mission is to live out the Gospel? Please explain.
3. Which text from Ephesians did we say was the mission statement?
(Answer: Ephesians 3:10)
4. In what ways does the fact that we are on display for the purpose of displaying God's wisdom determine what our mission should look like?
5. In what ways are we displaying God's wisdom as individuals and as a church? What is included in this and please be specific.
6. What did we learn from Ephesians 4:22–24?
(Answer: that all the world is a stage and we are called to play our part in the greatest story ever told. In the great drama of world history, we are called to play the part of Jesus because we are His body.)
7. Why did we say forgiveness as commanded in Ephesians 4:31–32 was so important? What was the principle we stated?
(Answer: Forgiveness is the path to restoration. How can we model the forgiveness embedded in the Gospel if we have not been restored ourselves?)
8. When we fail to forgive, who is the one who suffers and how does this affect the mission of our church?
9. Based on Ephesians 5:10, what should we be developing for ourselves as we grow in our maturity? What question should we be asking regarding questionable activities and what question do we usually ask?
(Answer: a code of conduct. What is right with it vs. what is wrong with it?)
10. If all people see is our trying to get as close to the line without sinning, what do we often end up displaying? Please explain why this is true.
(Answer: hypocrisy) |
.png)
More
Religion & Spirituality
Education
Arts and Design
Health
Fashion & Beauty
Government & Organizations
Kids & family
Music
News & Politics
Science & Medicine
Society & Culture
Sports & Recreation
TV & Film
Technology
Philosophy
Storytelling
Horror and Paranomal
True Crime
Leisure
Travel
Fiction
Crypto
Marketing
History
Comedy
Arts
Games & Hobbies
Business
Motivation
