Sermons

Ephesians 4:17–32 – Christ’s Holiness – Churches today tend to fall toward opposite ends of the spectrum on the subject of sin. Some overemphasize it, giving more power to Satan and sin than to Christ and the cross. While on the other end it is ignored or treated like a psychological issue, where the only sin is low self-esteem — sin is dealt with in a self-help manner, as if we can make ourselves holy. Just as Adam could not create himself from the dust, we cannot make ourselves a new creation. It is only by putting on the new man, created in Christ, and walking in His holiness that we overcome sin.

This message is for those who are struggling with something that is threatening to captivate you and for those whom Satan is desiring to lock in a prison of fear. The question we ask is, "Do you trust in the midst of the storm?" We must be gripped with the knowledge that God is in TOTAL CONTROL of everything that is going on around us. In times of calamity it is our human tendency to focus on ourselves and withdraw our hand from the needy around us. As children of God we are admonished not to withdraw our hands in self preservation, but rather to stretch out our hand to the poor and needy. There is power in our hand to do good because Christ's hands stretch forth through us to offer comfort and consolation to those who don't know Him!

Ephesians 4:1–17 - Christ's Works - Jesus won the grand victory over all things in heaven, earth and things below. He is now exalted and is giving gifts to the church. These gifts function in a way that causes the body of Christ to arise to fulfill its destiny. The equipping of the saints it to enable a great release of the works of Jesus on the earth in our generation.
 

In the last hour of time the church must be gripped by the Holy Spirit so God can have full control over our flesh. We have all been through betrayals, injustices and rejection, yet in Christ God calls us mighty. As we fix our heart on Jesus. We begin to understand that the victory comes from God alone. God wants to give us an undefeated testimony. His Spirit comes upon us and reveals the life of Christ in us and we are supernaturally led into victory. We cannot add anything else to what Christ has already done for us.

God is calling us to be one in heart and one in mind with what he purposed for His church to be here on earth. It doesn't matter how outwardly devoted we may appear to be God will move away from every pre occupied self consumed Christian. God forbid that you and I would begin to EXCUSE ourselves from the call that God has placed on our lives! Those of us whose value system is rooted in Christ and His purposes will be able to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit amidst all the darkness and calamities that are about to come. The cry of our heart has to be Jesus speak plainly to me!!

Ephesians 4:11–12 – Prophecy is one of several gifts given by God for the edification of the body. It is the prophet’s role to warn. It is the role of the pastor to address the issues that arise following a prophetic warning. They should let their flock know that it is not a good time to be on the fence — living in a way that opens your life to the devourer. Don’t be found partying in the house of an Egyptian, but find refuge in the house with blood on the doorpost. A pastor should urge his congregation to call to those outside the fence. Finally, the pastor is to encourage his people that if the blood of Christ is applied to their life then they cannot receive the wrath of God.

Those who have a lustful pursuit of God and affections for the world will not see the coming of Christ. The future of the true church of Jesus Christ will have a heavenly vision. Who then is the faithful and wise servant? The servant who is one in heart and one with the purposes of God. The wise servant will have their hands stretched out to heal and touch those around them with the supernatural power that can come only by God's Spirit. Those that will have spiritual sight in the last days will have a willingness to be sent by God as a vessel to be poured out and broken for lost humanity.

What happens if a significant trial comes our way and it doesn't work out the way we thought it would? God will allow us to go through certain trials, and in those trials there will be an element of failure. There is a time of sifting that will come to every zealous Christian. We will go through seasons of failure so we can recognize that we cannot serve God in our own strength. It's important to remember that in the midst of our failure God looks upon us with a love that can never fail us. So what happens if we fail in the time of trial? We will be invited to dine with a loving covenant-keeping God.

Our fallen nature can cause us to form an image of ourselves that doesn't represent Christ. The church that forms a false image will not endure when hard times come and they will abandon the journey of Christ to follow their own agenda. God in His mercy will allow this false image to be broken in pieces so we can go back to God and do things His way. When we are left with an empty shell and a cry in our heart that says, "God I am nothing apart from you", God will respond by filling us with His glory. If ever there is a time to cry out for the Holy Spirit to fill us it's now!

Ephesians 2:11–22 - Christ is our reconciliation. Just as he has rent the veil between us and God, he has broken down the wall of hostility between individuals. It has been God’s eternal desire that man dwell in a loving Trinitarian community. Paul concludes this passage with a practical application of how the people of Ephesus dwelt in peace and unity.