The Warfare of Prayer

Ephesians 6:18-20

Notes

We need to pray because

• We are fighting demonic forces (v. 12). Daniel 10:12-13
  
• We are powerless in ourselves to defeat demonic forces. Jude 1:9; Mark 9:14-29
• Christ has all the power to defeat demonic forces. Luke 8:26-39

We pray in the Spirit by

• Praying with full access to God Hebrews 4:14-16
• Praying as led by the Holy Spirit Romans 8:26-27
• Praying counting on the Holy Spirit to intercede (v. 26)
  
• Praying with patient trust in God’s care Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 5:7

We become prayer warriors when we (Ephesians 6:18)

• Pray with variety – using all prayer options.
• Pray frequently – for every situation. 2 Timothy 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
• Pray with tenacity – never stop. Isaiah 62: 6-7, Luke 18:1-8
• Pray for fellow followers of Christ. 1 Samuel 12:23
• Pray for what is needed to fulfill God’s mission (v. 19-20). Acts 4:29-30; Jude 1:20

The Armor for Battle, Part 2

Ephesians 6:14-18

I remember the “legal torture” I received in High School while preparing for the football season. The coaches called it “daily doubles.” It was two practices a day for two weeks with each practice lasting 2½ hours. When we suited up each day, the assistant coaches checked our uniform to make sure it was on right and fit right. I remember our head coach being a real stickler about one of his rules – no player is allowed on the playing field without their helmet on – no exceptions. I think it was because several years earlier when he was coaching at a different school, a player received a serious head injury during practice, because he was not wearing his helmet.

Last week and this week, we are learning about the armor we need to wear for battle. My question to you is, if God were to check your armor to see that it is on right and fits right, what would He find? Is any part missing? Are you wearing your helmet? What about your special battle shoes or your shield? Are you ready to go? Would God allow you on the field?

Injuries occur in football, and injuries occur in life. We are in a battle, and from time to time, we will be wounded. Our willingness to wear and use God’s armor is one key to reducing our wounds and increasing our victories. That is why God says “put on the full armor.” How is it going wearing the armor of God?

• Review
  

• God’s Armor – The Belt of Truth John 14:6; John 8:31-32

• God’s Armor – The Breastplate of Righteousness Romans 3:22; Titus 2:11-12
• God's Armor
• The Shoes of Peace
  

• Your peace - harmonious relationship - with God is possible through justification. Romans 5:1
• “Justified” means to be acquitted by a court of law of all crimes; to be declared innocent.
  

• Your peace (harmonious relationship) with self is possible through trust and dependence upon God. Philippians 4:6-7
  

• Your peace (harmonious relationship) with others is possible through equal access to God. Ephesians 2:14-18; Ephesians 4:3
• The Shield of Faith
  

• Faith is trust and reliance upon God above all else. Hebrews 11:1; 1 Peter 5:9
• God’s convicting work vs. Satan’s accusing work: Matthew 14:22-33
• God always uses love and His Word to convict us of wrong.
• Satan always using hatred, feelings and memories to accuse us.
• God’s convicting work has the purpose of producing discipline and devotion to God.
• Satan’s accusing work in our lives is to discourage and defeat us.
• God’s convicting work encourages us to look ahead with hope.
• Satan’s accusing work makes us prisoners of our past, leading us to despair.
• The Helmet of Salvation
• You are rescued from the penalty of sin. Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23

• You are rescued to life with God. Romans 6:23
• In Christ, we stand holy and blameless before God.
• In Christ, we have been adopted into God’s family – becoming His sons
• In Christ, as God’s sons we possess God’s inheritance.
• In Christ, we are freed from our bondage to sin.
• In Christ, we are the recipients of God’s grace and mercy.
• In Christ, we have God’s personal guarantee of our future rewards.
  

• The truths of salvation equip you to demolish all anti-God knowledge. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Jude 1:24; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 4:18
  
• The Word of God
• Use Gods’ Words to counter attack the devil. Matthew 4:1-11
  

• Use God’s Word to attack your sinful inclinations. Hebrews 4:12; James 4:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3

The Armor for Battle

Ephesians 6:14-18

I have never been in the military and have never been in battle. Over the years I have been told by several battle-scared military veterans that there is a special bond that develops when fighting side-by-side against the enemy. There is a connection that they say is hard to explain and describe to those of us who have never been in battle.

What we are learning from Ephesians six is that we who are followers of Jesus actually are in the military on the front lines fighting the enemy. And the hardware provided for this battle comes from God and is very effective.

Our problem is two-fold:

1. We soldiers often don’t realize we are in a battle, and
2. We soldiers forget to use God’s hardware.

Consequently the enemy quite easily at times gets the upper hand, and we lose battle after battle.

Our solution is to put on God’s armor, wear it, and use it every day. Then and only then will we experience the abundant victories of life that God has for us on earth.

Read Ephesians 6:14-18 and determine which armor you tend to wear often and which armor you frequently forget to put on.

What in your life caused you to answer the way you did?

Notes

Fight on Three Fronts

• The flesh – your evil inclinations
• The world – the sinful environment around you
• The devil – fallen angels in the spirit realm

Put on the full armor of God

• Wear God’s armor because the battles are guaranteed to come.
• What is the "day of evil"? Romans 13:12
• It can refer to days in general -- to the onslaught of evil that is in the world today:
• It can refer to any moment -- to the onslaught of temptations and trials that confront us at any given moment during a day.
• It can refer to a day of unusual temptation and trial -- to a special onslaught and barrage of evil that is thrown against us.
• Wear God’s armor because victory is possible. 1 John 4:4; 5:4-5
  

God's Armor

• The belt of truth John 18:37-38; John 14:6; John 8:44
• The belt secured the loose clothing.
• The belt protected some vital organs.
• The belt held the sheath in place so the soldier had access to the primary offensive weapon.
• Wearing the belt of truth means…
• Jesus Christ is your foundation of truth. John 1:14; John 14:6
• God’s Word is your guide book of truth. John 17:17; James 1:22-25
• A truthful character is your reputation. Malachi 2:6; (John 8:31-32
• The belt of truth effectively…
• Keeps you from being tossed around by every attack of the enemy. Ephesians 4:14-15
• Keeps you from becoming entangled with the affairs of this life. 2 Timothy 2:3-4; Luke 8:14
• Supports you in the battles and trials you face Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:14, 16
• The breastplate of righteousness
• It protected the most vital organs.
• It often saved the soldier from being mortally wounded.
• No soldier would dare go into battle without it.
• “Righteousness” fundamentally means conformity to a standard.
• The believer's heart is focused upon the Lord Jesus Christ and His righteousness, and that focus must be protected.
• Wearing the Breastplate of Righteousness means…
• You stand in Christ’s righteousness. Genesis 15:6; Romans 3:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9; Luke 18:10-14
• You pursue a life of righteousness in this present world. Matthew 5:6; Romans 6:19; Titus 2:11-12; Isaiah 6:1-8

The Fight, Part 2

Ephesians 6:10-13

Many years ago my family lived along Stark Street in Portland, Oregon -- a street very similar to Carson Street here in Torrance . At that time my father had a job that required him to leave at around 3 a.m . One morning as he was getting ready, he heard a man screaming. He stepped outside and saw a man running down the middle of the street with an animal chasing him. My dad grabbed a tire iron and ran out in the middle of the street just in time to club the animal, killing it. It was a sewer rat -- a very large sewer rat. Rats live off of garbage. Sewer rats have such a huge buffet of garbage that they can grow very large and can be very dangerous.

Demons are like rats. They go where the garbage is. One of their most effective means of defrauding and destroying people is to deceive people into thinking that garbage is NOT garbage, that sin is NOT sin or at least not very harmful. But in fact, it is the very sin in our lives that gives Satan and his team opportunities to create havoc and misery.

The Bible says Satan is like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. He is also like a sewer rat, running after us on the road of life trying to do whatever damage he can.

Pastor Charlie

The Fight

Ephesians 6:10-13

Recently Karen and I were with some friends at Disneyland where we watched a country western dinner show. During the show one member of the band played the part of the devil for a few minutes. To make sure we all knew what role he was playing, he put on a hat with two red horns. Everyone immediately knew who he was pretending to be.

Unfortunately for all of us, the real devil does not wear such a hat. In fact he works overtime to disguise himself so that only those who have studied his strategies and character can point him out. That is why so many people are deceived, defrauded and destroyed by him. Even Christians are tricked by him.

That is why this text in Ephesians 6:10-18 is so important for us. It gives us some very valuable insights as to Satan’s goals, strategies and character. I invite you to read that portion asking yourself how Satan has tried to deceive you over the years.

Pastor Charlie

Notes

• Our Struggle
• “Struggle” – commonly used in the field of athletics to describe wrestling competitions; most often translated “to wrestle” 1 Peter 5:8-9
• The term “devour” is used to describe: 1 John 3:8
• the whale swallowing Jonah (Jonah 1:17)
• the sinking of Pharaoh’s army in the sea (Exodus 15:4)
• someone being overwhelmed with extreme sorrow (2 Corinthians 2:7)
• Satan's Schemes
• “Schemes” – meaning methods; refers to the deceits, craftiness, and trickery of the devil. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
• Satan blinds. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
• Satan deceives. Revelation 12:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10; Psalm106:34-39
• Satan’s deception started in the garden. Genesis 3:1
• Satan deceives by attacking the mind. 2 Corinthians 11:3-4; Acts 5:3
• He attacks our confidence in the Word of God. 1 Timothy 4:1-2
• He instills doubt about Christ. 1 John 4:1-3
• He accuses us, reminding us of our sin and failures. Revelation 12:10; Colossians 2:8
• Our best counterattack is truth. Matthew 4; John 8:44
• Satan deceives through sin-based oppression.
• Satan can oppress us through pre-conversion sin. Acts 19
• Satan can oppress us through post-conversion sin. Ephesians 4:26-27
• “Foothold” means “place.”
• Sins linked to demonic influence:
• Immorality: 1 Corinthians 7:2-5
• False doctrine: 1 Timothy 4:1-3
• Lack of forgiveness: 2 Corinthians 2:10-11
• Satan strikes physical blows. 2 Corinthians 12; Revelation 2:10
• Satan’s leash – Job 1-2
• Question: Can a Christian be Demon Possessed?
• The words “demon possessed” -- implying ownership -- are never used in the Bible.
• The word is best translated “demonized.” It describes the condition of a person who in various degrees is under the control of demons with various effects. Mark 1:32, 34; 1 Peter 5:8; Acts 5:3
• Our Stance
• We receive our strength from Christ. Ephesians 3:16-17
• We fight with God’s armor.
• Our goal is to stand against Satan. James 4:7

Our Enemy – The Devil and His Demons

Notes

Ephesians 6:10-13

• Who they are
• The devil and his demons are fallen angels. 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6
• The devil and his demons are a vast army with specific roles.
  
• “Devil” – diabolo which means “false accuser.”
• Their influence in life
• The Devil and his demons exert a socio-political influence in this world.
• The terms -- rulers, authorities, powers -- are also used in the Bible to refer to civil authorities and kings. 1 John 5:19; Daniel 10 &11
• The devil and his demons exert an influence over individuals in this world. Ephesians 2:1-; 1 John 2:15-17; Galatians 5:19-21
• The Devil and his demons exert influence for a limited time. 2 Corinthians 4:4
• The Key to Victory (6:10) Colossians 2:13-15; Acts 19:18-20
• Ephesians 1:18-23
• The words “incomparably great” refer to the unimaginable divine potency directed toward all who believe.
• The word “power” means literally “ability, capacity.” Ephesians 3:20; 2 Corinthians 4:7
• The word “working” indicates the exercise of superhuman power.
• In documents of magic and occult practices “working” refers to a recipe, spell or charm that was found to be effective.
• The word “mighty strength” means overwhelming power (6:10).
• The word “exerted” means to make happen, to perform, to bring about. Ephesians 1:20-23
• 1. God raised Jesus from the dead (v. 20).
• 2. God gave Christ the seat of kingly authority at His right hand (v. 20).
• 3. God placed everything in the universe in subjection to Christ (v. 22).
• 4. God placed Christ in the position of headship over the church – God’s family (v. 22). 1 John 4:4

How to be a Christ-honoring Employee or Employer

I bet you have heard this statement before. It means that everything has to be paid for. Because of this, working to earn a wage is a necessary part of life.

I have noticed that many Christians tend to think that serving the Lord and making a difference in life for Him is about being involved at church. Although that is part of it, most of us spend just a few hours involved at church. We actually spend much more of our time earning a wage – a necessary piece of life.

God tells us that while earning that wage we can also be making a difference for Him. While spending all those hours earning that wage we can be used of him to point people his direction, to help people discover Him. All without infringing on the time and energy we have committed to work.

How? The keys are in the text we will be looking at this Sunday, Ephesians 6:5-9. I invite you to read the text and ask God to show you how you can effectively serve him while spending so many hours working to provide for yourself and your family.

See you Sunday,
Pastor Charlie

Notes

How to be a Christ-honoring Employee or Employer
Ephesians 6:5-9

As a Christ-honoring employee you would:

• Treat those you work for with respect and reverence. (v. 5) Philippians 2:12; 1 Peter 2:18-19
• Work with honest integrity. (v. 5)
• “Sincerity of heart” means without pretense, without hypocrisy. 2 Corinthians 11:3
• Refuse to make “impressing the boss” your top priority. (v. 6) Proverbs 25:27; 2 Corinthians 5:9
• Focus on God's will in your work. (v. 6)
• Recognize that it’s God's will for you to grow through difficulty. James 1:2-4
• It is God's will for you to minister to those around you.
• It is God's will for you to be a witness of the difference that Jesus can make in a life.
• Picture God as your boss. (v. 7)
• Look to the Lord’s rewards. (v. 8) Hebrews 11:6; Colossians 3:23-24

As a Christ-honoring employer you would:

• Lead by the Golden Rule – treat your employees the way you would want to be treated. (v. 9) Luke 6:31
• Lead with thoughtful caring, not aggressive power. (v. 9) Matthew 20:25-28
• Lead with humility. (v. 9) Philippians 2:6-7

Godly Parenting

If you go the local book store and look up books on parenting, you will find multiple dozens. If you look on line you will find thousands of pages listing resources on parenting. The supply of information is overwhelming. So who do you listen to? Who has the best advice and best insights?

This Sunday we will be looking at one of the key texts from God about parenting. What is so special about this text is that part of it is written to our children. So this Sunday I will talk directly to our children, providing them an outline; and then talk to us adults.

I invite you to read Ephesians 6:1-4 in preparation for Sunday. I also encourage you parents to read this text with your children and discuss what it means.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Charlie

Notes

• Train your children in the discipline of obedience (v. 1). Romans 1:28-32

• “Obey” means to submit to; to comply with; to hearken; to heed; to follow the directions or guidance of some instruction. John 15:10; John 15:14

• Train your children to follow Christ above everyone else – including you (v. 1).

• “In the Lord” means there is a limit to the child's obedience.

• “In the Lord” means that pleasing the Lord takes priority in your child’s life – even over pleasing you.

• Instill in your children the attitude of respect (v. 2-3). Leviticus 20:9; Romans 13:1-2

• Work hard to not be the cause of exasperation for your children (v. 4).

• “Exasperate” means to arouse to wrath or anger, to provoke to the point of utter frustration, hopelessness or resentment. Colossians 3:21

• How dads exasperate their children:

• Tease them and allow siblings to call them names.

• Be too busy to play with them, listen to them, or attend their activities.

• Never apologize for your failures, especially your own anger.

• Focus on their well-rounded education in learning and living God’s way (v. 4).

• ‘Training” means the education of the whole child...the cultivation of mind and morals.

• “Instruction" means counsel, exhortation, correction, admonishment. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

• Practical Parenting Tips, by Dr. James Dobson

• Define the boundaries before they are enforced.

• When defiantly challenged, respond with confident decisiveness.

• Distinguish between willful defiance and childish irresponsibility.

• Reassure and teach after the confrontation is over.

Parenting resources:

www.focusonthefamily.com

www.biblicalparenting.org

The Husband and Wife Relationship

This past Sunday I was out of town, celebrating my 29th wedding anniversary. Karen and I had a great time together. Afterward, I realized that we needed to do this more often then once every few years. Truth is, over the years I have sacrificed my time with Karen much more then I should. Paul talks about this idea and other key principles for marriage in the text we are looking at this Sunday. You might have similar awareness of some of the shortcomings in your marriage.

In Ephesians 5:21-33, we will learn some key truths from God about marriage and about the husband and wife roles in it, as God originally intended. I invite you to read the text and come ready to listen to what God wants to tell you.

Pastor Charlie

Notes

Reasons that it is hard to hear these marriage principles:

• The way that this scripture has so often been misapplied
• The culture that we live in
• The way that most marriages are now patterned (James 3:16):
• Dictatorship - one person controls everything.
• Bartering – returning favor for favor.

Some helpful insights when approaching this text:

• Keep in mind the connection with the previous verses.
• Recognize that Paul’s teaching is revolutionary in light of the trends of his day.
• Understand that the basis of these instructions to husbands and wives is a God designed order. (v. 23, 31)

God-designed orders:

• Citizens are to be subject to civil authorities (Titus 3:1; Romans 13:1).
• Slaves are to be subject to their masters (Titus 2:9).
• Church members are to be subject to their leaders (1 Corinthians 16:16).
• Children are to be subject to their parents (1 Timothy 3:4, Ephesians 6:1).
• The church is to be subject to Christ (Ephesians 5:24).

Some core relational principles (v. 21):

• Principle #1 - Relationships work best when both people are unselfish.
• “Submit” to one another.
• Submit: “under or below” + “that which is ordered, ranked” = to place or arrange under in an ordered way.
• Principle #2 - Relationships work best when both people are motivated out of reverence for Christ.
• Principle #3 - Relationships work best when both people adopt the “one another” principles in scripture
• "one anothers": John 13:34; Romans 12:10; Romans 12:16; 1 Peter 3:8; Romans 14:13; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:2; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; Hebrews 3:13

The Husband and Wife Relationship

Wives- give your husband the gift of your unselfish submission. v.22-24

• Unselfish submission is rooted in the God-designed order of things
• Unselfish submission is about roles and responsibilities. It has nothing to do with inequality or inferiority. (The Trinity: Jesus equal with God the Father but submits to His will.)

• Types of authority in human relationships
• Information authority comes from having inside information and using it to influence the thinking or behavior of others.
• Referent authority comes from being such an example that others naturally submit wanting to be like the one with the authority.
• Expert authority refers to those who influence by knowing more and being able to do something better than those under them.
• Coercive-reward authority that comes from the threat of punishment or the motivation of reward.
• Positional authority is authority that is inherent to the position.
• Unselfish submission is mostly about your relationship with Christ. 1 Peter 3:5

Suggested helps for Biblical submission to your husband

• Prayerfully release your expectations and rights back to God.
• Decide to totally accept your husband Romans 15:7
• Check out your own faults. Matthew 7:3
• Focus your thoughts on the positive. Philippians 4:8

Husbands, give your wife the gift of your unselfish sacrifice 5:25-31

• Principle: Husbands are to sacrifice themselves for their wives
• Principle: Husbands are to make it a priority to help their wives flourish and grow in Christ
• Principle: A husband’s passion is to see the completion of God’s work in his wife.

Suggested helps in sacrificing for your wife

• Pray for an attitude of humility Philippians 2:8
• Focus on the little things. v. 29

Husband & Wife – A Symbiotic Relationship v. 33

• Symbiotic: When two different organisms live in close association with each other and in which they mutually benefit from their proper role in that union.
• A symbiotic approach when disagreement occurs

Insights for Living with God's Spirit

Ephesians 5:15-20

In our Scripture text this week Paul tells us, “Do not get drunk with wine.” Many years ago I had a person ask me, “What about beer? Can I get drunk with beer?” Of course that misses the whole point of the text. The issue is not alcohol, it is about control; influence. Who is in charge in your life? Whatever controls you is what you are drunk with. Some people get drunk on success, or money, or fame, or sex, or sports, or leisure time, or ????. What do you get drunk on? What controls your life?

This week we will learn some insights about how to live with God’s Spirit in our lives and some things we can do that will help God’s Spirit to be in control. I invite you to read Ephesians 5:15-20 and ask yourself –

• Does God’s Spirit control me?
• What in my life would indicate a yes or a no answer?

Pastor Charlie

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Notes

• Pay close attention to how you live life.
• 4:1 – “to walk worthy of your calling”
• 5:1 - “walking in love”
• 5: 8 – “walk as children of light”
• 5:15 – “be careful how you walk” 4:17 – “do not walk as the gentiles walk”
• Be wise in your choices - making the most of your opportunities. (15-16) 2 Peter 1:5-8; Psalm 90:12; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, 35
• Learn what God's will is for you (17) ("Understand" means to grasp, perceive, see with the mind and comprehend.)
• To learn God’s will requires radical adjustments. Romans 12:1-2
• We must adjust how we view our bodies – treating them as something to sacrifice to God.
• We must adjust how we view the man made cultures and societies – we must resist its godless ways.
• We must adjust how we think about life – we must see life with God’s eyes.
• To learn God’s will requires knowing God’s word – the Bible. John 8:31-32; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
• Continue being filled with God's Spirit. (18)

• What it is not:
• Being filled with God’s Spirit is not His work of regeneration. Titus 3:5
• Being filled with God’s Spirit is not His work of baptizing you. 1 Corinthians 12:13
• Being filled with God’s Spirit is not His indwelling of you. Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14

• Some Basics:
• Being filled with God’s Spirit requires your obedience.
• Being filled with God’s Spirit requires turning over control to the Spirit.
• Pursuing godly character lines up with the Spirits mission for you. Galatians 5:22
• Being motivated by the desire to please God’s Spirit will help guide you in spirit-filled living. Ephesians 4:29-32; 1 John 1:9
• Keeping open to the work of God’s Spirit frees His power to work in and through you. 1 Thessalonians 5:19

• Some traits of a Spirit-filled person
• A Spirit-filled person has an abundantly singing spirit (v. 9). Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 95:1; Psalm 150
• A spirit-filled person has a deeply thankful spirit. (20) Romans 1:21; 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Live as children of light

This week we heard some horrible, stomach turning news. Phillip Garridio kept Jaycee Dugard as his prisoner/slave for 18 years. The pain and suffering he caused to her and the two daughters he fathered by her is truly beyond comprehension.

In Ephesians 5:7-14, Paul talks about darkness and light. He says “have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness”; instead “live as children of light.” Clearly Phillip Garridio is an example of living in darkness in the extreme. But although we only infrequently hear of such levels of darkness, God sees it daily around the world. That is one reason God admonishes us to aggressively reject a life of darkness and aggressively pursue a life in the light.

I invite you to read Ephesians 5:7-14 in preparation for Sunday. And ask yourself,

• Does my life reflect God’s light powerfully or dimly?
  
• How so?
  
• And How does my life promote goodness and righteousness and expose darkness?”

Pastor Charlie

Imitating God

Ephesians 5:1-7

My coach in High School would often say, “Do what I do.” This comment would come as he was teaching us some specific basketball technique. He would demonstrate it, than have all of us do it together, trying to copy him. The idea was with enough understanding of how to do it and enough repetition of doing it, the skill would become second nature. So that we would do it well in the heat of a game.

Paul tells us in Ephesians, chapter five, verse one, “Be imitators of God.” Do what God does, so to speak. So if you were to tell me in what ways you are successfully imitating God, what would you say? In what ways do you know you are not imitating God?

Pastor Charlie

=====

“Be imitators of God…” (v.1).
“imitate” – to mimic, to copy, to follow

• You imitate God when you live a life full of love.
• You live a life of love best when you experience God’s love deeply. Ephesians 3:17-19; Romans 8:35-39
• You live a life of love best when you commit yourself to loving others. Matthew 22:34-40
• You live a life of love best when Jesus is your example. John 15:13; Romans 5:7-8
• You live a life of love best when you define love as self-sacrifice. Luke 9:23; Romans 12:1
• You imitate God when you live a life of holiness. (v. 3)
• Pursue holiness in the way you act. Matthew 5:28; Philippians 4:12-13
• “sexual immorality” - any form of illicit sexual activity
• “impurity” – any actions tainted by sin, often referring to sexual activity
• “greed” – the lust to have which is never satisfied
• Pursue holiness in the way you talk, expressing thankfulness. James 3:6
• “Obscenity” means filthiness, filthy language.
• “Foolish talk” means idle chit chat that is of no value to anyone.
• “Coarse joking” – means indecent, off-color, vulgar humor.
• Do not give attention to empty chatter. (v. 6); Colossians 2:8; Acts 17:11
• “empty” words: words that are “vain” by nature – boasting; speech that is self-promoting or the promoting of others in a way that overshadows Christ
• Refuse to partner with empty talkers. (v. 7)

The New Self - Some Dos and Don'ts

Ephesians 4:25-32

• Control your tongue by refusing to lie or speak destructive words (v. 25,29).
  

• Slander: thinking something bad about a person and sharing it with others Psalm 101:5

• Suggested hints: arousing a bad impression about someone Exodus 23:1
  

• Gossip or rumor: spreading the evil news that one has heard or imagined 1 Timothy 5:13; Proverbs 26:20; Proverbs 11:13

• Deception: defrauding oneself and others by accepting bad news as true when the truth is really not known Proverbs 24:28; Acts 20:29-31

• Flattery and exaggeration: excessively praising someone Proverbs 26:28; 1 Thessalonians 2:5-6

• Control your tongue by choosing to be truthful and speak only words that build up others (v. 25,29). Proverbs 16:24; Galatians 5:15; Galatians 6:1-2
• “The church is the only army that shoots its wounded.”

• Control your emotions by refusing to stay angry. John 2:13-17; Mark 3:1-5

• Unjustified anger is selfish and holds others in contempt. Proverbs 21:24
• Justified anger is motivated by righteousness.
• All anger is to be dealt with promptly. Genesis 4:3-8
  

• Deal with your anger so the devil cannot use you for his evil purposes. 1 Peter 5:8-9; Proverbs 16:32; Ecclesiastes 7:9

• Control your greed by earning an honest living and giving generously. Proverbs 30:8-9
• Giving generously is a primary purpose for your material gain. 1 Timothy 6:18
• Stay sensitive to God’s Holy Spirit, rejecting conduct that saddens Him.
• He is the Holy Spirit so anything that is not holy is distasteful to Him.
• He is the Holy Spirit of God so it is God Himself that we sadden.
• He is the one who seals us for the final day of God’s redemption. Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 3:18
• Treat others with kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness. 1 Corinthians 13
• Kindness – an unselfish concern for the welfare of others, and a desire to be helpful even at great personal sacrifice 1 Peter 2:2; 1Peter 3:8
• Tenderhearted: a sympathetic, affectionate, and compassionate interest in others, and a willingness to bear their burden. Matthew 18:21ff; Colossians 3:13
• Forgiveness: A readiness to pardon offenses, to overlook personal wrongs against oneself, and to harbor no desire for retaliation

Body Building

Ephesians 4:7-16

• Each believer has a grace gift from Christ (v. 7). Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Peter 4:10; Ephesians 2:10; John 15:5; 1 Samuel 17:39

• Through grace gifts God provides what is needed for service (v. 11-12).
• Apostle: a delegate, a messenger, one sent forth with orders. John 13:16
• Prophet: one with the supernatural ability to receive and speak truth given by divine revelation from God.
• Evangelist: one who has the God-given ability to present the Gospel with unusual effectiveness.
• Pastor/Teacher: one who has the God-given capacity to nurture God’s people and effectively explain God’s truth for life change.
  

• Grace gifts are designed by God to help His children grow up (v. 12). Mark 1:19-20; Mathew 28:19

• Our grace gifts are planned by Christ Himself – the very one that came from heaven and has returned to heaven (v. 8-10).

• Serving is at the core of all Christ’s grace gifts (v. 12). Luke 12:35-38
• “We may easily be too big for God to use, but never too small!” D.L Moody
  

• Unity through maturity is a goal of Christ’s grace gifts (v. 13). Philippians 1:6

• An immature church
  
• An immature church allows circumstances to dictate (v. 14)

• An immature church is misled by false teaching (v.14). Acts 20:30-31

• An immature church is strongly influenced by self-centered people (v. 14).
• “craftiness”: skill in manipulating the dice
  

• A maturing church
  
• A maturing church is careful how they talk with each other (v. 15). Ephesians 4:29
  

• A maturing church keeps Christ in charge.

• A maturing church builds up each other with love.

Living a Worthy Life

Ephesians 4:1-6

In the Old Testament the prescription is:

Be good, I will bless you.

In the New Testament the prescription is:

I have blessed you, now be good.

• Keep God's call on your life in view (v.1) Colossians 1:10
• See yourself as God's submissive child - be humble Isaiah 57:15; James 4:6; John 13:3
• Keep yourself under control - be gentle Matthew 5:5; 1 Peter 3:4
• Take a long time to get angry - be patient James 1:19
• Work hard to keep Spirit-centered harmonious relationships with others (v.3) Romans 14:19; Romans 12:17,18; John 17:20-23

Insights On How To Pray

Ephesians 3:14-21

• Pray guided by God's truth - “For this reason”
  

• Pray fully engaged – “I kneel” Ezra 9:5-6; Matthew 26:39; Hebrews 11:6; Jeremiah 29:13-14; 2 Chronicles 16:9
• "Our real problem in the Christian life is not that our desires are too strong, but too weak. We are far too easily pleased with the ordinary, the mundane, the status-quo. And that is why we pray so little.” (C.S. Lewis)
  

• Pray focused on God. “…before the Father from Whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” (v20 ) Matthew 6:5-14; Romans 8:15-16

• Pray that your inner self will be strengthened by God. 2 Corinthians 4:16

• Pray that Christ will make himself at home in your heart.“…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
  

• Pray that you will get a grip on Christ's love for you.“…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,…”

• You are already rooted and grounded in Christ’s love for you. Romans 8:35-39

• Christ’s love for you is way beyond any human love. John 15:13; John 3:16; Romans 5:8

• Pray that all of God will live in all of you. Colossians 1:19; Romans 8:29; Galatians 5:22-23
• Pray that God will be glorified. “…to Him be glory…”

A Christ follower’s view of self

When I was 10 years old, I desperately wanted to be a great basketball player. I would play with my friends and peers everyday at recess and as often as I could after school. Then one day a high school basketball player came to our school offering an instructional session on basketball. I jumped at the chance. Why? Because he obviously was a better player than me, knew much more about the game than I, and was very successful in the sport. After all, he was on the local high school varsity team and no one was chosen for that unless they were really good. (as seen from the perspective of a 10 year old).

We all know that learning from someone who has ‘been there and done that’ is very valuable. This is true in our spiritual journey in discipleship as well. And there is no one better at it than Paul. In the list of Christ followers down through the ages, Paul was one of the first and still is among the top five. In the language of the basketball world, he not only made the high school varsity team, he would be picked up in the NBA and would become a superstar. He would be the first to tell you his shortcomings as a disciple even though he was hugely successful. By watching how he does things, we can learn a great deal from him.

This week we will be looking at one of the few texts in the New Testament, Ephesians 3:1-13, where Paul opens the door to his personal life. He shares about how he views and deals with difficult circumstances, how he sees his responsibility in God’s mission for him, and his view of his role toward others. This is great stuff for us to emulate.

Pastor Charlie

Notes

Ephesians 3:1-13

• Views self as a prisoner of Christ (3:1)
  
• A prisoner of Christ is guided by the mission, Philippians 1:12-14
• A prisoner of Christ surrenders to God’s control, Matthew 26:39; Romans 12:1
• A prisoner of Christ is willing to suffer for the cause, Acts 9:15-16; John 15:18-20; 1 Peter 2:20
• Views self as a manager of God’s mystery, Ephesians 1:9-10; Colossians 1:26-27; Acts 10:9ff; Matthew 28:18-20; Galatians 1:6-9
• Views self as a servant for Christ
  
• A servant for Christ serves out of a personal experience with God’s grace, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
• A servant for Christ depends on God’s power for service, Ephesians 1:9-10
• A servant for Christ is humble in nature, 1 Corinthians 15:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:15-17; Philippians 2:3-4

Imagine...Living Life in Peace

Hi again.

It has been several weeks since I sent you my sermon thought for the week. Hope you missed them.

I vividly remember that day, June 12, 1987, when our President, President Reagan, stood at the Brandenburg Gate to commemorate the 750^th anniversary of the founding of the city of Berlin, and lay out the challenge that reverberated throughout the globe.

“General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”

The apostle Paul mentions walls in our text for this Sunday, Ephesians 2:11-22. Jesus Christ has torn down the main wall, the wall that keeps people from possessing peace with God. This same wall brought a religion of elitism and isolation. We will take a look at this wall on Sunday. But there are also other walls that branch off from this wall which are harmful. Some that come to mind for me are greed, selfishness, religion, arrogance, success, and fear. I am sure that you can add to this list those things that hinder you from a harmonious relationship with God and people.

This Sunday we look at dividing walls, lasting peace and a new way of relating in community.

Pastor Charlie

Notes

• Dividing Walls (v. 11-13): Exodus 19,20; Matthew 5:20
• “Hostility” – enmity, hatred. A strong anti posture, feeling and thoughts; to stand against. Luke 18:18
• “abolished” – to render inactive, to put out of use, to cancel. Matthew 5:17, 18; Colossians 2:14
• Lasting Peace (v. 14-17)
• “Peace” – harmonious relationships with others. John 14:27 & 16:33; Romans 5:1; John 3:36
• “Reconcile” – to restore to a harmonious relationship. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
• Equal Access (v. 18)
• “access” – a title for the official in an oriental court who introduced visitors to the potentate. The word does not refer just to liberty of approach, but to an actual introduction. John 3:16; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16
• New Community (v. 19-22) James 4:1-4; Colossians 3:11-15

“But God…Rescues and Transforms”

Ephesians 2:4-10

Notes

• But God… Loves You (v. 4). Romans 5:8; 8:31-32

• But God… Gives You Life (v. 5). Colossians 2:13-14; John 3:14-16; Numbers 21:4-9

• The Greek word has three parts: “together with” + “life” + “to make.”
  

• “to make alive with”
• “to make alive together with”
• “together to make alive”
  

• But God… Gives You a Seat in Heaven (v. 6).

• But God… Displays His Grace in You (vv. 7-10).

• God displays His grace by rescuing you (v. 8). Acts 15:1; Romans 3:23-24; 11:6

• “Grace is the face God wears when He looks at my failures.”

• God displays His grace by only requiring that you put your faith in Christ to be rescued by Him. John 3:16; 3:35-36; 1:10-12; Romans 10:9

• Salvation heresies:
  • We can earn all or part of God’s salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9).

• We can possess authentic saving faith without it changing us. James 2:17
  

• God displays His grace by making you His object of transformation (v.10). 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:4-8

Your Condition: Dead, Deceived, Doomed

Ephesians 2:1-3

• Apart from Christ you are dead (v. 1). Genesis 2:7,17; Hebrews 9:27-28; Acts 26:8; Romans 6:23; 5:1
  

• Your condition of death is displayed in your transgressions in life. Isaiah 53:6; Leviticus 5:17
  

• Your condition of death is displayed in your sins in life. James 1:14-15

• Apart from Christ you are deceived (v. 2-3)
  

• The world deceives you into living contrary to God. Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Colossians 2:8

• Jesus taught that God created human beings male and female (Mark 10:6).
  
• Jesus warns that we are not to fear those who kill just the body, but rather those who can kill both the body and the soul in hell (Matthew 10:28).
  
• Jesus tells us that He is the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25).
  
• Jesus teaches that people love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19).
  

• The devil deceives you into living contrary to God. (v. 2); John 8:44; 8:31-32; Matthew 16:23; Hebrews 11:25

• Your sin nature deceives you into living contrary to God. (v. 3)

• Your sinful nature gives you strong cravings toward sin.

• Your sinful nature gives you warped thoughts about sin.
  

• Your sinful nature gives you an emotional attachment to sin.

• Apart from Christ you are doomed (v. 3). Romans 1:21, 23; Romans 2:5; John 3:36; Luke 7:40-47