[audio:http://crosschurch.net/media/audio/11jan23.mp3]
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Sermon Outline:
A Covenant Community of Faith pt. 3 “Silencing Imposter gods” (Ephesians 4:1-3; 30-32; 5:1-2)
1. Guard the Unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:1-3)
2. Live in Forgiveness (Eph. 4:30-32)
3. Walk in Love (Eph. 5:1-2)
Sermon Text:
Ephesians 4:1-3; 30-32; 5:1-2
Unity in the Body of Christ
4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Walk in Love
5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Sermon Notes:
Thinking Biblically To Live Holy
How not to let circumstances rob you of your joy, contentment and hope
1. GOD COMMANDS ME NEVER TO COMPLAIN
Do all things without complaining and disputing. Philippians 2:14(NAS)
2. GOD COMMANDS ME TO GIVE THANKS IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
3. GOD COMMANDS ME TO REJOICE ALWAYS EVEN IN TRIALS
Rejoice in the Lord always. Phil. 4:4; Rejoice always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Count it all joy when you fall into various trials. James 1:2
4. I ALWAYS DESERVE MUCH WORSE THAN WHAT I AM SUFFERING NOW
Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins? Lamentations 3:39
5. IN LIGHT OF THE ETERNAL HAPPINESS AND GLORY
The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18; For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:19
6. MY SUFFERING IS FAR LESS THAN THAT WHICH CHRIST SUFFERED
Who when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when he suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. 1 Peter 2:23
7. TO COMPLAIN IS TO SAY GOD IS NOT SOVEREIGN
Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right? Genesis 18:25
8. FAITH AND PRAYER EXCLUDE COMPLAINING
I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
9. THIS DIFFICULTY IS BEING USED BY GOD FOR MY GOOD
And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
10. THOSE MORE FAITHFUL THAN I HAVE SUFFERED FAR WORSE THAN I
…and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. All these, having gained approval through their faith… Hebrews 11:35-39
