Message: “SERVICE – Blessed in Christ” from Zach Schlegel

Ephesians 1:1-14

Introduction

Today, “spirituality” is popular, but the church is seen as unimportant. For many, the church is just a bunch of boring, lifeless, empty traditions. Others assume that the church is close-minded and judgmental, filled with hypocrites. Sadly, we must admit that there are times when churches have hurt people, dishonored Christ, or looked more like the world than they are called to look like the people of God. But scripture puts the church at the center of God’s plan.

The emphasis in the book of Ephesians is not on a private Gospel for individual salvation but a Gospel of the church - God in Christ, creating a new community made of Jews and Gentiles living together as a new community - a new people - who are distinct from the world in which we live. We need to go back to the scriptures and understand what God’s design is for the local church, so we can live together in the way that He has called us to - God’s people living for His glory and for the evangelization of the world.

Paul writes this letter to encourage the church in Ephesus, a secular city. The Christians there were outnumbered and hated. They dealt a lot with spiritual discouragement, fear of man, and envy of the prosperity of man. They would have been tempted to be ashamed of Christianity and Jesus. Do you feel that temptation today as a Christian living in America - a secular culture that is often hostile to Christianity?

Sermon Outline

1. God the Father chose us before creation. Vs. 4-6
2. God the Son redeems us today. Vs. 7-10
3. God the Holy Spirit guarantees our future inheritance. Vs 11-14

Scripture References: Ephesians 1:1-14

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From Series: "Good News of the Church"

Ephesians Series Good News of the Church

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