Introduction:

As I reflect on this past year, I can’t help but wonder how many of us have felt like we were standing in the middle of a relentless storm, unsure if the rain would ever stop. Some of us may have felt like we’ve been carrying extra burdens, whether it be financial stress, family struggles, health concerns, or personal fears. We all go through tough seasons, and often, during those times, the last thing we feel like doing is giving thanks.

But as Paul reveals in Philippians 4:6-7, gratitude is not just for the good times—it is essential in every situation, and it becomes a vital way to overcome the difficulties we face. Today, I will explore how giving thanks to God, even in the midst of challenges, allows us to experience His peace, a peace that surpasses our circumstances. Gratitude anchors our hearts and minds to God and deepens our spiritual growth, strengthening our relationship with Him and others.

Introduction

Now, isn't it interesting how attached we are to things that don't fit us anymore? get attached to things of the past and we have a hard time letting go even though we know that it doesn’t suit us anymore.

Now when we pick in our text today, Paul is reminding the people of God that there is a new spiritual wardrobe that they are to be wearing. He wants to let us know that the old wardrobe needs to be taken off and something new needs to be put on. And that something new is the way of the resurrected Jesus and of his kingdom.

So in this section of Chapter Four, Paul's using new language new metaphors to talk about - what does it mean for us to walk in the way of the resurrected Jesus? 

Introduction

Ephesians can be divided into three sections: to sit with Christ, walk like Christ, and stand for Christ. This structure helps us understand spiritual growth, starting with our relationship with God and leading to serving others.

In my last sermon, I emphasized that a Christian must first be seated with Christ before they can walk or stand for Him. Being seated with Christ means, through His grace, we are given a position of honor and authority in heaven—not by our works, but by His. This gives us identity, stability, and confidence in God's Kingdom.

When seated with Christ, we stop striving for worldly acceptance and security. We rest in the assurance that we belong to Him, which becomes the foundation for walking like Christ in unity.

Introduction

I was asked the question: There are people who have been good all their lives (including Christians), so why does God make them suffer?

My first response would be: What do you mean by “good”? How do you define that? If you are able to make a definition of good that is infallible, then how do you know they’ve been “good” all their lives. You might vouch for a person because you know this person. I understand your confidence, but that’s hardly evidence of how you would know if they’ve been good their entire life.

What do you mean by good? Do you mean a person who has never spoken a bad word? A person who has never done harm to another person or a creature or to the environment? A person who hasn’t committed a crime. I saw a granny the other day jaywalking, jaywalking is a crime, does that disqualify her? You were caught speeding. You could have potentially hurt someone but didn’t. You did break the law, so does that disqualify you as a good person? Or do you reserve the bad category for crimes like murder, theft, and adultery? What do you mean by good? Do you consider yourself to be a good person? Can a person who is good become bad, or a bad person become good? It would seem by the logic of the original question asked that both would be disqualified from being good because obviously they are no long “good” their entire life.

Introduction

One of the ongoing challenges we face in the church is our limited view of the Resurrection. We often treat it as either a historical event from 2,000 years ago, celebrated on Easter, or something we anticipate in the distant future, when we’ll be resurrected at the Lord’s return. Many don’t even look that far ahead, thinking we’ll simply spend eternity floating in heaven. But we’re actually headed for Resurrection—new bodies and a New Creation. The problem is that we miss the present reality. The Resurrection isn’t just a past event or future hope—it’s something we’re meant to experience daily. This is the heart of what Paul is teaching in Ephesians.

Paul spent three years in Ephesus sharing the gospel, but his goal wasn’t just to deliver a message. He wanted the church to grow deeper in their walk with God. That’s why, in his letter, he starts by telling them who they are in Christ. He makes it clear that their identity is rooted in what Christ has already done. Before telling them what they should do for Christ, he emphasizes what God has done for them in Christ. This order is essential—everything we do flows from what Christ has done.

Paul stresses that because we are in Christ, we have a position and status with God. Yet, the danger for the church, both then and now, is that we fail to live in the fullness of that status. Paul’s desire is for the church to truly experience their position in Christ.

In Ephesians 2:5-6, Paul explains that by God’s grace, we’ve been made alive with Christ, raised with Him, and seated with Him in heavenly places. To grasp this fully, we need a deeper theological understanding. Paul’s view of the Resurrection contrasts with the traditional Jewish perspective, and understanding this difference is key to what he’s presenting in Ephesians.

Introduction

The Apostle Paul's life and ministry, especially his missionary journeys, demonstrate an extraordinary drive to spread the gospel. Despite facing immense opposition and hardships, Paul's resilience was anchored in his unwavering commitment to his divine mission. Acts 20:24 encapsulates his motivation: "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." This verse highlights Paul's understanding that his life belonged to Christ and his primary concern was fulfilling his mission to testify to God’s grace. As we explore Paul's journeys, we see how this motivation propelled him through trials and challenges.

Introduction

Gentleness, despite its importance in the kingdom of God, may seem foolish in today’s competitive and brutal world, especially in big cities. Society teaches us that aggression is necessary to navigate life successfully, but in the kingdom of God, gentleness is the path that heals the world. Paul’s discussion of the fruit of the Spirit, particularly gentleness, outlines a way of life that bears witness to and contributes to the healing of the world.

Introduction The focus is on the word "fruit" and its significance in the Christian life. God uses the concept of "fruit" to explain what knowing Him produces in believers' lives. Paul, in Colossians 1:10, emphasizes the importance of bearing fruit in every good work, which aligns with God's will. "Fruit" represents the outcome of a believer's experience with God. God desires that the fruit produced by believers is consistent with His character and purpose. Christians are called to be fruitful disciples, contributing to the advancement and glory of God's will.

Introduction

The letter to the Philippians, written by Paul, radiates joy despite his imprisonment, underscoring the theme of working out salvation with fear and trembling. This theme emphasizes the believer’s active participation in their spiritual journey, balanced with a deep reverence for God's sovereignty and grace (Philippians 2:12-13).

Introduction - Recap

Introduction In our previous sermon from Acts 9, we learned that Saul was on his way to Damascus with the intent of persecuting Christians. However, as he neared the city, a brilliant light shone around him, blinding him. He was then instructed to go to Damascus, where he would receive further instructions. Guided by divine intervention, Ananias came to Saul, prayed for him, and healed his blindness. Ananias revealed that Saul was chosen by God to preach about Jesus. With both his physical and spiritual sight restored, Saul was baptized. This sermon continues from this pivotal moment, exploring what happened next in Saul’s journey.

Introduction

The book of Ephesians was written around 62 AD by Paul while he was in prison. This is of course beyond the last chapter of the book of Acts. Paul established the Corinthian church with Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18) and they would arrive in Ephesus (Acts 18:19) where Paul would leave them to continue the ministry while he went ahead to other churches to strengthen them. At the beginning of Acts 19, Paul returns to Ephesus a year later to firmly establish the Ephesian church and he would spend the next 2.5 years preaching in Ephesus and through Asia Minor. This is also where Paul would run into trouble with an angry mob led by a silversmith named Demetrius who was unhappy because Paul was persuading people away from their pagan gods – Demetrius and many others made their profit from selling idols.

            Ephesus was a portside city in the province of Asia Minor, which is modern day Turkey, and it was a center of transportation and commerce. It was also the location of the Temple of Artemis, which is one of the seven wonders of the world. This temple also served as a bank and so much of life in Ephesus revolved around this temple. Ephesus was also keen on magic, the occult, and pagan worship rituals of their pagan gods.

            The first half of book of Ephesians is more theological, while the latter half is more practical. Ephesians can be summarized as “living the Christian life in a manner worthy of the calling by God to faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:1).” This brings us to Ephesians 5:18 because we cannot live the true Christian life without being filled by the Spirit.  

Introduction - Recap

In last week's sermon, we delved into how God intricately orchestrated the life of Saul, transforming him into the Apostle Paul for a profound purpose at the appointed time. Saul's journey from Tarsus, a city steeped in both Jewish tradition and Hellenistic culture, laid a crucial foundation. His upbringing in this cosmopolitan center equipped him with fluency in Hebrew and Greek, pivotal for his later ministry in writing New Testament epistles and communicating effectively with diverse audiences. Moreover, Saul's Roman citizenship afforded him legal privileges and facilitated his missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire, ensuring he could spread the gospel unhindered by political barriers. Despite Saul's initial ignorance of God's overarching plan, his life experiences and background uniquely prepared him to become a pivotal figure in early Christianity.

Introduction - Recap

In last week's sermon, we delved into how God intricately orchestrated the life of Saul, transforming him into the Apostle Paul for a profound purpose at the appointed time. Saul's journey from Tarsus, a city steeped in both Jewish tradition and Hellenistic culture, laid a crucial foundation. His upbringing in this cosmopolitan center equipped him with fluency in Hebrew and Greek, pivotal for his later ministry in writing New Testament epistles and communicating effectively with diverse audiences. Moreover, Saul's Roman citizenship afforded him legal privileges and facilitated his missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire, ensuring he could spread the gospel unhindered by political barriers. Despite Saul's initial ignorance of God's overarching plan, his life experiences and background uniquely prepared him to become a pivotal figure in early Christianity.

Introduction - Recap

In last week's sermon, we delved into how God intricately orchestrated the life of Saul, transforming him into the Apostle Paul for a profound purpose at the appointed time. Saul's journey from Tarsus, a city steeped in both Jewish tradition and Hellenistic culture, laid a crucial foundation. His upbringing in this cosmopolitan center equipped him with fluency in Hebrew and Greek, pivotal for his later ministry in writing New Testament epistles and communicating effectively with diverse audiences. Moreover, Saul's Roman citizenship afforded him legal privileges and facilitated his missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire, ensuring he could spread the gospel unhindered by political barriers. Despite Saul's initial ignorance of God's overarching plan, his life experiences and background uniquely prepared him to become a pivotal figure in early Christianity.

Introduction - Context of the Passage

In this passage, we witness a tumultuous moment in Paul's life as he faces persecution from a mob in Jerusalem. Accused of defiling the temple by associating with Gentiles, Paul is attacked by the angry crowd. Amidst the chaos, a Roman official intervenes, allowing Paul to address the crowd and defend himself. This pivotal moment offers insight into Saul's life before his transformation into the apostle Paul.

Introduction: In reflecting on the Parable of the Sower, the disciples likely experienced a range of emotions, including potential discouragement. Jesus' teaching that only one type of soil would truly receive the Word might have left them feeling disheartened and questioning their understanding of His message. The disciples, accustomed to more traditional forms of teaching, might have found Jesus' use of parables challenging, especially as they grappled with the deeper spiritual truths hidden within them. This shift in teaching style may have intensified the pressure they felt to comprehend and apply Jesus' teachings accurately.

Introduction: In reflecting on the Parable of the Sower, the disciples likely experienced a range of emotions, including potential discouragement. Jesus' teaching that only one type of soil would truly receive the Word might have left them feeling disheartened and questioning their understanding of His message. The disciples, accustomed to more traditional forms of teaching, might have found Jesus' use of parables challenging, especially as they grappled with the deeper spiritual truths hidden within them. This shift in teaching style may have intensified the pressure they felt to comprehend and apply Jesus' teachings accurately.

Introduction: In reflecting on the Parable of the Sower, the disciples likely experienced a range of emotions, including potential discouragement. Jesus' teaching that only one type of soil would truly receive the Word might have left them feeling disheartened and questioning their understanding of His message. The disciples, accustomed to more traditional forms of teaching, might have found Jesus' use of parables challenging, especially as they grappled with the deeper spiritual truths hidden within them. This shift in teaching style may have intensified the pressure they felt to comprehend and apply Jesus' teachings accurately.

Introduction: Mark’s Gospel chronicles the extraordinary ministry of Jesus Christ, who boldly proclaims the gospel of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15) and demonstrates its reality through miraculous healings and deliverances. As multitudes flock to witness these remarkable acts, Jesus seizes the opportunity to impart profound spiritual truths through the medium of parables—engaging stories that convey heavenly realities through earthly analogies. In this context, Jesus introduces the Parable of the Sower, laying the groundwork for deeper understanding of the mysteries of God's kingdom and discerning the receptivity of human hearts.

Introduction - Recap of Part 1

Last week, we began to explore the question: Why did Jesus teach in parables? Jesus’ sudden change in teaching method of parables without the explanations left many people including his disciples confused. His disciples questioned Jesus’ method, which reflects how we also question God and His methods when we don’t’ understand His ways. We learned last week that we must accept that God does not owe us an answer. However, God can choose to reveal the answer to us immediately or at a later time in retrospect, or He can choose not to reveal the answer within this lift time. We must also acknowledge that there are some things God chooses not to reveal to us because we would simply not understand. Accepting this is part of submitting ourselves humbly to God. Therefore, the first reason why Jesus taught in parables was to use it as an instrument of judgement against stubborn unbelievers who refused to believe and rejected the gospel by concealing the truth from them. Jesus was giving them over to their hardened hearts that trampled over the gospel.