Sermon Series: Ephesians (Pastor Brian)

What is the real condition of the unregenerate person? Is he basically good, just lacking the right environment or education? Paul speaks with absolute authority on the desperate condition of the lost man.

“But God” – 2 of the most glorious words in all the Bible! Paul doesn’t say, “but you.” When we could do nothing to save ourselves, God did something. Salvation is of the Lord. It was God who took the initiative. God acted. With man salvation is impossible, but with God all things are possible!

Imagine if God were a Master Artist. What would the canvass be? What about the paint, and the brush, and the final art gallery? This message is probably Brian Anderson’s most popular message he has ever given, having preached it many times in many places. Let the truth of Ephesians 2:7-10 thrill your soul!

Here Paul turns his attention on the saved Gentiles in Ephesus, and extolls God’s unfathomable grace in what He has done for them. <

Up until this point in Ephesians Paul has not talked about himself at all — it has all been about what God has done for us in Christ. But now, everything changes as he becomes intensely personal and autobiographical in going down a bunny trail to describe the glorious riches the Gentiles have as fellow heirs with believing Jews!

Paul concludes the first half of the book of Ephesians with a powerful prayer. It is a prayer we should pray for ourselves and others often. Join us as we meditate on the 4 principal parts of this prayer: the power of the Spirit, the love of Christ, the fulness of God, and the glory of God.

In this study we commence the 2nd half, and the practical section of the book emphasizing the Christian Life. Paul goes to great pains to exhort us to walk worthy of our great and high calling by being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Learn how to preserve the unity that God has already supernaturally created between every true child of God!

After Paul teaches us about the Unity of the Spirit that every true Christian has with every other true Christian (Ephesians 4:1-6), he shows how this unity works itself out in the diversity of spiritual gifts in the body, especially those of its leaders (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor-teachers). This passage of Scripture is also known for giving rise to the idea that after Jesus died on the cross, His spirit descended into hell to preach to the spirits there. Let’s examine that doctrine, to see if these things are so.

Church Growth has become an extremely popular subject in our own day. In this section Paul tackles that subject, but not as we might. Instead of focusing on numerical growth, he focuses on inward, spiritual growth. In what ways does God want the church to grow? Find out in this study!

The apostle Paul in this section begins his in-depth, prolonged teaching on the sanctification of the believer and personal holiness. He does so by showing us that God has made us brand new people with new desires and ambitions. He shows us that sanctification is to a great extent believing and acting on the truth of who we are in Christ.

In this section, Paul shows us in 5 very practical areas how we are to exchange the old lifestyle patterns for brand new ones. We got some heavy questions and comments in this teaching right off the bat, so we didn’t complete the study. This will be Part 1. I think you will enjoy the dialogue, as we seek to understand how to obey God’s Word!

We continue in our message on “Exchanging The Old Life For The New” and look at some more specific areas in which we are to lay aside the characteristics of the old life and exchange those for new lifestyle patterns. In this message we speak of laying aside stealing, unwholesome words, and ungodly attitudes. At the heart of all is the Love of Christ displayed in offering Himself up for us, as a fragrant aroma to God!

The Scriptures detail a very high standard for the church concerning sexual purity. In this passage we are taught God’s standards, and what will be the ultimate destination for those who characterize a sexually impure lifestyle.

Paul exhorts believers to be careful how they live out their Christian life because there are dangers, traps, drop offs, and pitfalls on every side. How are we to be careful? By making the most of our time and understanding the will of our Lord.

Ephesians 5:18 is perhaps the most important verse in the 2nd half of Ephesians, for it reveals how we are to obey all the other commands and exhortations found there. If Ephesians 4-6 are a race course, and you are the driver, Eph.5:18 is the fuel. In this message we examine what the Bible teaches about drunkenness, and about how we can obey the command to be filled with the Spirit.

Having discussed the command to be filled with the Spirit in our previous message, we now focus on the consequences of being filled with the Spirit. This church meeting turned out to be very different as you will probably realize as you listen to it. Buckle your seat belts, for you will be going on a ride as you tune into this house church gathering!

Paul initiated some Biblical discussion on God’s will for husbands and wives from this popular passage of Scripture.

What is God’s will for children? The apostle Paul answers that question in this section of Scripture. Since we had no young children present in this meeting, we sought to apply the principles found here to adult children. Interestingly, in God’s Providence we just happened to study this section of Scripture on Mother’s Day!

In order to be effective in our war against Satan, there are various pieces of armor that we must put on. In this message we examine the first 3: The Belt of Truth, The Breastplate of Righteousness, and the Sandals of the Gospel of Peace.