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In Christ

Sermon Notes

IN CHRIST: THE LIFE YOU WANT, THE CONNECTION YOU NEED

People are busy, schedules are filled, and there are now so many online options for “virtual church.” So you may wonder, if you can watch a service from home when it fits into your schedule, then is it really necessary to be part of a local church? In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul conveys two huge truths. First, believers are united in Christ. It’s a truth that defines our position and describes our possessions as believers. Second, believers are stronger and more effective together. Our connection in a local church is our primary place to exercise spiritual gifts, find encouragement, grow spiritually, receive support, and engage in God’s kingdom. When believers experience true biblical community, it will enhance our personal walk with God and show why we are stronger together. Join us as we study God’s desire for Christians and the Church.

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Message 01

October 16, 2022 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#1 in series)

In Christ: The Story at Ephesus

 

Ephesians 1:1-2

 

Paul’s apostleship would convey at least three ideas with the original audience.

1) He __ to Christ.

2) He was sent __ by Christ.

3) He had __ from Christ.

 

Paul defines Christians in three ways. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, said that these qualities define the “irreducible minimum of what constitutes a Christian.”

1) Christians are __.

2) Christians are __.

3) Christians are __ Christ.

 

Being in Christ is a statement of __. It describes someone who is __ to Christ in such unity that what is true of Him is also true of us.

 

KEY DEFINITION: A Christian is someone who is set apart by God, __ in faith to the gospel, remaining __ to the process, and whose life is found in Christ.

 

The purpose of the letter is found in the primary themes of this letter.

  • Theme 1: All Christians are __ together in the Body of Christ.
  • Theme 2: All Christians have __ they need in Christ.
    When basic has occurred, each Christian is as spiritually as they want to be.
  • Theme 3: All Christians are called to live out these spiritual truths for the of the Father, the building up of the Body, and the __ of God’s kingdom.

Message 02

October 30, 2022 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#2 in series)

In Christ: You Are Blessed, Part 1

Ephesians 1:3-14

Points of application that will help you see what’s at stake in studying these verses:

1) These truths set the stage for a lifetime of __ as a Christian.

2) These truths help guide our __ in every situation.

3) These truths result in a heart of __.

4) These truths bring __ even when life seems unstable.

These verses are nicely arranged around the three persons of the Trinity:

Verses 3-6 describe the __ of the Father.
Verses 7-12 describe the __ of the Son.
Verses 13-14 describe the __ of the Spirit.

What do we have in the account?

  • __

The heart of the doctrine of election is that “ __ comes from the Lord” (Jonah 2:9).

Paul makes God’s role in salvation clear:

  • God __ us (v. 4)
  • Predestined us (v. 5)
  • Gave us __ (v. 6)
    Forgave our sins (v. 7)
  • __His grace (v. 8)
  • Made known His will (v. 9)
  • __ all things (v. 9)
  • Included us (v. 13)
  • And __ us with the seal of the Holy Spirit (v. 13)

Message 03

November 06, 2022 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#3 in series)

In Christ: You Are Blessed, Part 2

 

Ephesians 1:5-7

 

What has God placed in our spiritual bank account?

1) Election

The heart of this doctrine is that “salvation comes from the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). God “chose us” (v. 4), “predestined us” (v. 5), “gave us grace” (v. 6), “forgave our sins” (v. 7), “lavished His grace” (v. 8), “made known His will” (v. 9), “purposed all things” (v. 9), “included us” (v. 13), and “marked us with the seal of the Holy Spirit” (v. 13). Salvation is God’s work.

 

2) __

“He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ” (v. 5)

 

Adoption means becoming God’s sons and daughters with all the __ implied.

 

3) __

“In him we have redemption through His blood” (v. 7a)

 

Redemption is used in paying a ransom to release a person from __, especially that of slavery.

 

In the Old Testament, there were two means of redemption: by __ and by __.

 

In the New Testament Context, a person could become a slave in one of three ways:

– They could be __ a slave.
– They could become a slave by __.
– They could become a slave by the inability to pay a __.

 

4) __ of Sins

“… the forgiveness of our trespasses…” (v. 7b)

 

Redemption means being freed from sin’s power, so that it no longer rules over us. Forgiveness means that God wipes the slate clean so that our __ no longer are held over us.

 

Message 04

November 20, 2022 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#4 in series)

 

In Christ: You Are Blessed, Part 3

 

Ephesians 1:3-14

 

What are the blessings in our spiritual bank account?

1) Election

2) Adoption

3) Redemption

4) Forgiveness of Sins

 

5) God revealed His will to us in __ and insight

 

6) The __ of the Holy Spirit

 

In New Testament times, seals were used for three purposes:

1) A seal was used to __ an object or document as being true and genuine.

2) A seal was used to make something personal property.

3) A seal is used to make something __.

 

  • The Holy Spirit verifies that a person is really God’s child (Romans 8:16)
  • The Holy Spirit is God’s claim that we are His __. (Ephesians 1:14)
  • The Holy Spirit makes the Christian secure in their new relationship with God. (John 14:16)


7) An __ in Christ

Our inheritance in Christ is an aspect of salvation which is primarily future.

Message 05

December 04, 2022 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#5 in series)

 

In Christ: Accessing Your Spiritual Account

 

Ephesians 1:1-14

 

There are two ways that people approach Christianity:

  • The __-Life: We __ to do our best for God.
  • The __-Life: We __ God to live His best through us.


The Christ-life is a focused pursuit to be with God __ , recognizing Jesus as your life and __ Him to live His life through you.

 

What does it mean to be “in Christ?”

It means we are united to Christ in such __ that what is true of Him is also true for us.

 

Christians are one in Christ. We are in Christ and Christ is in us. Our lives are joined together to such a degree that what is true of Him is also true for us.

1) __ together (Romans 6:6; Galatians 2:20)

2) Died together (Romans 6:8; Colossians 2:20; 2 Timothy 2:11)

3) __ together (Romans 6:4, 5; Colossians 2:12)

4) Made alive together (Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 2:13)

5) __ together (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:12, 13; 3:1)

6) Seated together (Ephesians 2:6)

7) __ all things together (Romans 8:32)

8) Life is hidden together (Colossians 3:3)

9) __ together (Romans 8:17; Ephesians 3:6; 1 Peter 3:7)

10) Sharers together (Ephesians 3:6)

 

How do you access your spiritual account in Christ?

__ in Him!

 

What does it mean to abide?

The person who is abiding in Christ is the one whose life is intentionally placed in the __ of God.

 

They live in a state of God-awareness that prompts regular interaction throughout the day. Nothing comes into that person’s life that does not become a part of the relational dialogue.

Message 06

February 05, 2022 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#6 in series)

 

In Christ: Praying for Proficiency (Part 1)

 

Ephesians 1:15-23

 

There is a progressive nature of knowledge:

  • There is __ (lack of knowledge).
  • There is awareness ( __ of knowledge).
  • There is __ (application of knowledge).
  • There is proficiency ( __ of knowledge.)


In verses 3-14, Paul shared the unlimited __ that believers have in Christ.

 

In verses 15-23, Paul prays that we will fully __ those blessings in a knowledge gained by experience.

 

The prayer has four parts. Paul prayed…

 

  • That we would __ God fully. (v. 17)
    “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

 

  • That we would know the __ of His calling. (v. 18)
    “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling…”

Message 07

February 12, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#7 in series)

 

In Christ: Praying for Proficiency (Part 2)

 

Ephesians 1:15-23

 

There is a progressive nature of knowledge:

  • There is ignorance (lack of knowledge).
  • There is awareness (introduction of knowledge).
  • There is practice (application of knowledge).
  • There is proficiency (perfection of knowledge).


The prayer has four parts. Paul prayed…

 

  • That we would know God fully. (v. 17)
    “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

 

  • That we would know the hope of His calling. (v. 18)
    “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling…”

 

  • That we would know the riches of the __ of His inheritance. (v. 18)
    “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know…what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”

 

Proficient disciples __ God’s glory!

 

Satan knows that he can never __ God’s glory, but he is relentless in his pursuit to __ God’s glory.

Message 08

February 19, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#8 in series)

 

In Christ: Praying for Proficiency (Part 3)

 

Ephesians 1:15-23

 

There is a progressive nature of knowledge:

  • There is ignorance (lack of knowledge).
  • There is awareness (introduction of knowledge).
  • There is practice (application of knowledge).
  • There is proficiency (perfection of knowledge).


The prayer has four parts. Paul prayed…

  • That we would know God fully. (v. 17)
  • That we would know the hope of His calling. (v. 18)
  • That we would know the riches of the glory of His inheritance. (v. 18)
  • That we might know the greatness of His __ toward us. (vv. 19-23)


Paul reminds us of Jesus’ power in every realm of life. Jesus has…

  • Power over __ : …when He raised Him from the dead
  • Power in __ : …and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
  • Power over __ : …far above all rule and authority and power and dominion,
  • Power over __ : …and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
  • Power over all __ : …And He put all things in subjection under His feet,
  • Power over His __ : …and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Message 09

April 23, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#9 in series)

 

In Christ: The Story of Redemption

 

Ephesians 2:1-3

 

God’s __ requires God’s __.

 

To show us that God’s power is unlimited, the Apostle Paul uses four Greek words for power in verse 19 and then five verses to explain this power. He spoke of…

  1. Dunamis (power): God’s unlimited power available to Christians __
  2. Energeia (working): the energizing force of the Spirit that empowers believers to do as God desires __
  3. Kratos (strength): the strength necessary to overcome whatever stands in the way __
  4. Ischus (might): strength which one has as latent power; endowed power or ability __


Key Truth: Humanity is separated from God by sin and incapable of __ the relationship.

 

Paul uses three descriptions to show why humanity is separated from God. Apart from Christ, we are…

  • __ in trespasses and sins
  • __ to the lusts of the flesh
  • By nature children of __


Apart from Christ, we are…

  • Dead in trespasses and sins (v. 1)


Important thoughts:

  1. God does not judge based on __ standard of goodness.
  2. How __ is good __?


Reflection:

  • Salvation is not __ because of how bad we’ve sinned!
  • Salvation is not __ because of how good we’ve been!
  • Salvation is a gift of grace made possible by the __ work of Jesus.

Message 10

April 30, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#10 in series)

 

In Christ: Redemption and Spiritual Death

 

Ephesians 2:1-3

 

Key Truth: Humanity is separated from God by sin and incapable of reconciling the relationship.

 

In verses 1-3, Paul uses three descriptions to show why humanity is relationally separated from God and spiritually dead.

 

Apart from Christ, we are…

  • Dead in trespasses and sins (v. 1)
    “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,”

 

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned…” – Romans 5:12

 

  • to the of the flesh (vv. 2-3a)
    “…in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind…”

 

In verses 2 and 3, there are three forces that encourage disobedience:

  • The __ (v. 2a)
    “formerly walked according to the course of this world…”

 

  • The __ (v. 2b)
    “according to the prince of the power of the air.”

 

  • The __ (v. 3)
    “Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind…”

 

By __, children of wrath (v. 3b)
The wrath of God has been gradually __ and intensifying in __ to sin.

 

“Humanity’s position apart from Christ is __, disobedient, __, and doomed.” – Warren Wiersbe

 

We’ll never know how __ the good news is until we first see how __ the bad news was.

Message 11

August 20, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#11 in series)

In Christ: Redemption and God’s Grace

Ephesians 2:8-9

The gospel is the good news that tells of God’s design, sin’s intrusion, and Christ’s solution for human flourishing.

The Redemptive Story of God (The Gospel)

RAIL 1

30,000-ft view

Big story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation

Key Truth 1: Humanity is separated from God by sin and incapable of reconciling the relationship. (vv. 1-3)

– God’s design, sin’s intrusion

Key Truth 2: God loved us while we were sinners and made reconciliation possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection. (vv. 4-5)

– Christ’s solution for human flourishing

Why are we separated and incapable of reconciling?

How did God love us and make reconciliation possible?

RAIL 2

30-ft view

Individual truths of redemption in Ephesians 2

Apart from Christ we are…
– Dead in trespasses and sins (v. 1)
– Alive to the lusts of the flesh (vv. 2-3a)
– By nature, children of wrath (v. 3b)

God accomplished this work by:
– Jesus’ birth
– Jesus’ death
– Jesus’ resurrection

The Redemptive Story of God (The Gospel)

RAIL 1

Key Truth 3꞉ At salvation, we are united with Christ and our position is permanently changed according to God’s great and gracious purposes. (vv. 6-7)

– Christ’s solution for human flourishing

Key Truth 4꞉ Salvation is God’s gift of __ that is received through __ in Christ. (vv. 8-9)

– Christ’s solution for human flourishing

What brought the change and why is union with Christ so important?

How does a person enter and abide in relationship with God?

RAIL 2

Christ’s work in redemption brought three big changes:

– “To make alive together with”
(synzōopoieō)
– “To raise up together with”
(synegeirō) “
– “To sit down together with”
(synkathizō)

Our relationship with God is꞉
– By grace
– Through faith
   __
   __
   __
– Not of yourselves or your work

Message 12

August 13, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#12 in series)

In Christ: Redemption and Our Position

Ephesians 2:6-7

The gospel is the good news that tells of God’s design, sin’s intrusion, and Christ’s solution for human flourishing.

The Redemption Story of God (The Gospel)

RAIL 1

30,000-ft view

Big story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation

Key Truth 1: Humanity is separated from God by sin and incapable of reconciling the relationship. (vv. 1-3)

– God’s design, sin’s intrusion

Key Truth 2: God loved us while we were sinners and made reconciliation possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection. (vv. 4-5)

– Christ’s solution for human flourishing

Key Truth 3꞉ At salvation, we are __ with Christ and our position is __ changed according to God’s great and gracious purposes. (vv. 6-7)

– Christ’s solution for human flourishing

Why are we separated and incapable of reconciling?

How did God love us and make reconciliation possible?

What brought the change and why is union with Christ so important?

RAIL 2

30-ft view

Individual truths of redemption in Ephesians 2

Apart from Christ we are…
– Dead in trespasses and sins (v. 1)
– Alive to the lusts of the flesh (vv. 2-3a)
– By nature, children of wrath (v. 3b)

God accomplished this work by:
– Jesus’ birth
– Jesus’ death
– Jesus’ resurrection

Christ’s work in redemption brought three big changes:

– “To make alive together with”
(synzōopoieō)
– “To raise up together with”
(synegeirō) “
– “To sit down together with”
(synkathizō)

Message 13

August 20, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#13 in series)

 

In Christ: Redemption and God’s Grace

 

Ephesians 2:8-9

 

The gospel is the good news that tells of God’s design, sin’s intrusion, and Christ’s solution for human flourishing.

 

The Redemption Story of God (The Gospel)

 

RAIL 1

30,000-ft view

Big story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation

Key Truth 1: Humanity is separated from God by sin and incapable of reconciling the relationship. (vv. 1-3)
– God’s design, sin’s intrusion

 

Key Truth 2: God loved us while we were sinners and made reconciliation possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection. (vv. 4-5)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing

 

Key Truth 3: At salvation, we are united with Christ and our position is permanently changed according to God’s great and gracious purposes. (vv. 6-7)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing

 

Key Truth 4: Salvation is God’s gift of __ that is received through __ in Christ. (vv. 8-9)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing

 

Why are we separated and incapable of reconciling?

How did God love us and make reconciliation possible?

What brought the change and why is union with Christ so important?

How does a person enter and abide in relationship with God?

 

 

RAIL 2

30-ft view

Individual truths of redemption in Ephesians 2

Apart from Christ we are…
– Dead in trespasses and sins (v. 1)
– Alive to the lusts of the flesh (vv. 2-3a)
– By nature, children of wrath (v. 3b)

 

God accomplished this work by:
– Jesus’ birth
– Jesus’ death
– Jesus’ resurrection

 

Christ’s work in redemption brought three big changes:
– “To make alive together with”
(synzōopoieō)
– “To raise up together with”
(synegeirō) “
– “To sit down together with”
(synkathizō)

 

Our relationship with God is:
– By grace
– Through faith
__
__
__
– Not of yourselves or your work

Message 14

September 24, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#14 in series)

In Christ: Redemption and God’s Plan

Ephesians 2:10

The gospel is the good news that tells of God’s design, sin’s intrusion, and Christ’s solution for human flourishing.

RAIL 1

30,000-ft view

Big story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation

Key Truth 1: Humanity is separated from God by sin and incapable of reconciling the relationship. (vv. 1-3)
– God’s design, sin’s intrusion

Key Truth 2: God loved us while we were sinners and made reconciliation possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection. (vv. 4-5)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing

Key Truth 3: At salvation, we are united with Christ and our position is permanently changed according to God’s great and gracious purposes. (vv. 6-7)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing

Key Truth 4: Salvation is God’s gift of grace that is received through faith in Christ. (vv. 8-9)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing

Key Truth 5: As we __ in Christ, God accomplishes His good __ in us and through us.
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing

Why are we separated and incapable of reconciling?

How did God love us and make reconciliation possible?

What brought the change and why is union with Christ so important?

How does a person enter and abide in relationship with God?

What are some “good works” of God, and why is abiding in Christ necessary?

RAIL 2

30-ft view

Individual truths of redemption in Ephesians 2

Apart from Christ we are…
– Dead in trespasses and sins (v. 1)
– Alive to the lusts of the flesh (vv. 2-3a)
– By nature, children of wrath (v. 3b)

God accomplished this work by:
– Jesus’ birth
– Jesus’ death
– Jesus’ resurrection

Christ’s work in redemption brought three big changes:
– “To make alive together with”
(synzōopoieō)
– “To raise up together with”
(synegeirō) “
– “To sit down together with”
(synkathizō)

Our relationship with God is:
– By grace
– Through faith
Knowledge
Assent
Trust
– Not of yourselves or your work

– “workmanship” – comes from “poima” where we get “poem”
– “in Christ Jesus” – speaks of positional truth; __
– “good works” – can be understood with John 15
– “walk” – a __, repeated behavior

Message 15

October 01, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#15 in series)

In Christ: Engage Now

 

Ephesians 2:11-13

 

“Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be of , but of __ succeeding at things in life that don’t really __ .” – Francis Chan

 

There are three major themes that are emphasized throughout this letter:

1) All Christians are __ together in the Body of Christ.

 

2) All Christians have __ they need in Christ.

 

3) All Christians are called to live out these spiritual truths for the __ of the Father, the building up of the Body, and the __ of God’s Kingdom.

 

For 12 verses, Paul has outlined the deep contrast between where we were then and where we are now. Starting at the top of chapter 2 and going down…

 

  • We were dead, but now we’re __.
  • We were lost, but now we’re saved.
  • We were excluded, but now we’re included.
  • We were __, but now we’re family.
  • We were without hope, but now we have hope.
  • We were without God, but now GOD HAS US.
  • We were once far off, but now we’ve been __ near.


In verse 4, the bad __ ends with “But God…”

 

In verse 13, our old __ end with “But now…”

 

Message 16

January 07, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#16 in series)

 

In Christ: That We May Be One (Part 1)

 

Ephesians 2:14-18

Message 17

January 21, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#17 in series)

In Christ: That We May Be One (Part 2)

Ephesians 2:14-18

Unity is emphasized throughout the New Testament. But it’s not unity at any cost, but rather, unity with God’s blessing. There are passages where God explicitly says, “For the sake of ultimate unity, cut off fellowship with a person or group.”

  • In areas of church , we are told to remove the person who is unwilling to repent and have no fellowship with that person.
    (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)

With people who are habitually and continually stirring up strife, we are told to reject that person after a second warning.
(Titus 3:9-10)

  • In areas of false , we are told to identify those teachers and let them be accursed.
    (Galatians 1:6-9)

Big Truth: Jesus removed what kept us divided so that we can be united in what keeps us together.

What kept us divided?

  • Jesus removed the dividing barrier. (v. 14)
  • Jesus removed the sin barrier. (v. 16)

What unites us together?

  • We have the same . (v. 14a)
  • We have the same . (v. 15)
  • We are part of the same . (v. 16)

Message 18

January 28, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#18 in series)

In Christ: That We May Be One (Part 3)

Ephesians 2:14-18

Big Truth: Jesus removed what kept us divided so that we can be united in what keeps us together.

What kept us divided?

  •  Jesus removed the dividing barrier. (v. 14)
  • Jesus removed the sin barrier. (v. 16)

What keeps us together?

  • We have the same Savior. (v. 14a)
  • We have the same identity. (v. 15)
  • We are part of the same body. (v. 16)

 

  • We share a common __. (v. 17)

  • We have __ to the Father in the same __. (v. 18)

Just as the Apostle Paul stresses “in Christ” to indicate a Christian’s __ and __, he also stresses “in the Spirit” to emphasize a Christian’s __. The Christian life is not lived by our ability; it is empowered by the Holy Spirit.

  • We have the same __. (v. 18)

Message 19

February 04, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#19 in series)

 

In Christ: Living in the Father’s House

Ephesians 2:19-22

What does it look like to live together in the Father’s house?

 

1) We’re no longer __; we’re family. (v. 19)

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,”

 

2) We’re blessed with __ because of a solid __. (v. 20)

“having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,”

One of the greatest gifts you can give your kids is a godly __ and a stable __.

3) We’re being __ together by a loving Father. (vv. 21-22)

“in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”

Part of your spiritual growth can only be done personally. But there’s another part of your spiritual growth that can only take place within the community of believers.

Your __ to the church is essential in your __ as a disciple.

Reflection/Response: As you understand more of God’s design in the Father’s house, ask additional follow-up questions and obey as God leads.

  • How is God leading you to support your church family?
  • Are you using your gifts to serve others?
  • Are you growing together as a family or just attending the same church?
  • Are you supporting each other and loving each other?
  • What is your next step to grow closer together with your family?
  • What is God already prompting you to do but you haven’t obeyed?
  • If part of your growth in Christ only happens in community, what is the inevitable result of being too busy to be involved?

Message 20

February 25, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#20 in series)

 

In Christ: The Mystery of God

 

Ephesians 3:1-13

Message 21

March 03, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#21 in series)

In Christ: From Information to Transformation

Ephesians 3:14-21

How does a person go from information to transformation?

Big Truth: __ precedes. __ Submission to God precedes transformation by God.

There are two basic ways that people approach the Christian life:

1) Living from __

2) Christ living __

In a very short prayer, Paul asks God to do three things according to the riches of His glory.

1) __ believers in the inner man (vv. 16-17a)

“…strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…”

2) __ believers in love (vv. 17b-19a)

“…and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth (of His love), and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge…”

The __ of love fosters the __ of sin.

3) __ believers with the fullness of God (v. 19b)

“…that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”

To be __ with God is to be __ of self.

Message 22

March 17, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#22 in series)

In Christ: Walk in a Worthy Manner

 

Ephesians 4:1, 22, 24

How do we walk in a worthy manner?

Over the years, believers have developed “methods” to bring out conduct, the walk, or the behavior they want to see.

  • Some try to __ people into the right conduct.
  • Some try to guilt people into the right conduct.
  • Some try to __ people into the right conduct.
  • Some try to distract people into the right conduct through a frenzy of activity.
  • Some try to __ people into the right conduct through discipleship.

The __ of behavior is determined by the __ of our heart.

“1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,… 22…lay aside the old self… 24and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” – Ephesians 4:1, 22, 24

There are two primary ways that Christians attempt to walk worthy:

  • The first way __ to attach godly things to the outside to change character on the inside.
  • The second way __ that Christ’s nature on the inside is sufficient to change behavior on the outside.

A worthy walk requires two big steps:

1) Walking worthy requires “laying aside the old self.” That includes rejecting the __ in its fullness, the idea of acceptance by __, and attempts to change by self-effort.

2) Walking worthy requires “putting on the new self.” That includes living from our new __, enjoying acceptance by God’s __, and staying __ for Jesus to live through us.

Message 23

March 24, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#23 in series)

 

In Christ: Characteristics of a Worthy Walk (Part 1)

 

Ephesians 4:1-3

 

Big Truth: Our __ informs our responses. Our responses __ our quality of life, the opportunities we’re given, and the __ we enjoy.

 

At the end of chapter 3, we were left with this major truth:

Submission precedes __. Submission to God precedes transformation by God.

 

When we walk in a worthy manner, what Christ-like characteristics are displayed?

  • We live with __.
  • We __ with gentleness.
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sbc@SherwoodBaptist.net – Email

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