This sermon series covers chapters 4-6 of Ephesians. In this section of Paul’s letter, he helps the church at Ephesus to see that what is true about them in Jesus should also be evident in the way they live!

Ephesians 4:1-6 — Getting Things One

The first thing that Paul addresses after reminding the Ephesians of their gospel identity is unity in the church. There are several ways that we can strive for unity. But Paul specifically hones in on the fact that unity flows from our heavenly calling, unity grows in a humble community, and unity knows a hopeful foundation.

Ephesians 4:7-16 — Becoming Body Builders

As Paul continues to flesh out the idea of unity in the church, he begins to talk about how each person within the body of Christ has a responsibility and a purpose that corresponds to their gifts and talents. And when every one is doing their part while learning from spiritual leaders and growing in their personal walk with the Lord, the body of Christ is edified, built up, and naturally grows.

Ephesians 4:17-24 — Out With the Old, In With the New

In this passage, we see Paul implore the Ephesian believers to make sure that they live differently from the world around them. In a place like Ephesus, where sexual immorality and carnality abounded, Christians who lived like Jesus would shine as a stark difference to the darkness in which the other Gentiles walked. So too, if we live like Jesus, our lives should and will stand out in stark difference from the unbelieving world around us.

Ephesians 4:25-32 — Under New Management

Paul continues the thought of putting on the new man. As a Christian, you are no longer to live like the world or to obey the lusts of your flesh. We are to obey the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives. We are a new creature. We have a new nature. We are under new management. And as such, we are called to live a certain way. And in this passage, Paul lines out for us 5 key values that we have as Christians under the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:1-14 — You’re Just Like Your Father

As Paul continues revealing how we live out the gospel, he reminds us that we are dear children of God. As most children do with their earthly parents, we should learn from and imitate our Heavenly Father. When we do so, we will find that we walk in love, in purity, and in light.

Ephesians 5:15-21 — But Can You Walk the Walk?

Paul continues to instruct the Ephesian believers on how to live out the gospel, and he begins to transition into how this will look like within certain individual roles. He does so by letting them know that in order to imitate our Heavenly Father(walking in love, purity and light), we must find ourselves equipped with the wisdom of God and the Spirit of God.

Ephesians 5:22-33 — The Spirit-Filled Marriage

As a continuation of thought, Paul begins to describe how Christians, who are walking in the wisdom of God and who are filled with the Spirit, will conduct themselves in a marriage. Spirit-filled wives will follow their husband, and spirit-filled husbands will love their wives. In this message, we see what this means, and how it is a beautiful picture of the relationship between Jesus and His church.

Ephesians 6:1-4 — The Spirit-Filled Home

Paul continues to unpack how the gospel impacts the way we live within our individual roles of life. In today’s passage, he tells us how the Spirit-filled home will look—where children obey their parents in the Lord, and parents train and instruct their children in the Lord.

Ephesians 6:5-9 — The Spirit-Filled Workplace

Paul continues to unpack how the gospel impacts the way we live within our individual roles of life. In today’s passage, he tells us how Christians should be in the workplace. Whether your in a leadership role, or just a “mere employee,” we are each called to serve our God on the job!

Ephesians 6:10-13 — This Is War

Sometimes, as Christians, we can get really comfortable in this world, feeling at home here. But our home is not here. Our home is in heaven. This place, although we may not often think of it this way, is a battleground where spiritual warfare is constantly taking place. And we find ourselves in the middle of this battle. In this passage, Paul helps us understand how we can be prepared for the battle by recognizing our enemy, and relying on the strength and resources given to us to overcome the enemy.

Ephesians 6:14-17 — Battle Ready

We need to constantly be reminded that we are in a battle. Our enemy never takes a day off from attacking us. But despite his onslaught of attacks on us, we really do have the capability to overcome him through the power of our Savior. In today’s passage, we discover the spiritual armor of defense that we have at our disposal and are encouraged to put on the armor each and every day.

Ephesians 6:18-20 — Battle Belongs

When we really understand the battle that we are a part of, it makes us aware of our desperate need for God! And when we are aware of our need for God, it drives us to prayer! In this passage, Paul explains that one of the greatest ways we can stand is to kneel in prayer.

Ephesians 6:21-24; Revelation 2:1-7 — When Things Become Mechanical

Paul signs off the letter to the Ephesians with an admonition of grace to all those that love Jesus in sincerity. But about 35 years later, when another letter is written to the church, they are told that they’ve left their first love. Too often, this happens in the church of today. So many Christians find themselves going through the motions of the Christian life, completely devoid of real love for the Lord. In this message, we find what Jesus said to do when we find ourselves living out our Christianity mechanically instead of spiritually.