Strengthening The Church Ephesians 4.17 33

StrengtheniStrengthening the ng the ChurchChurch

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Studies in the letter to the EphesiansStudies in the letter to the Ephesians

January 1January 1stst, 2005, 2005

The Benefits of Being in The Benefits of Being in ChristChrist

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord

Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ

with every spiritual blessing in heavenly

places...”

(Ephesians 1:3, ESV; emphasis mine)

Memory Verse For Lesson #1

What Being in Christ MeansWhat Being in Christ Means

“So then you are no longer strangers and

aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the

saints and members of the household of

God...”



The Mystery of ChristThe Mystery of Christ

“This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow

heirs, members of the same body, and

partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus

through the gospel.”



The Unity of Strength in The Unity of Strength in ChristChrist

“...walk in a manner worthy of the calling to

which you have been called, with all

humility and gentleness, with patience,

bearing one another in love...”

(Ephesians 4:1b-2, ESV)


Lesson #5Lesson #5

The Strength of the New The Strength of the New

ManMan

The Strength of the New ManThe Strength of the New Man

“...to put off your old self, which belongs to

your former manner of life and is corrupt

through deceitful desires, and to be

renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put

on the new self, created after the likeness

of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

(Ephesians 4: 22-23, ESV)



Spiritual Fitness

Cross Training (Mark 8:34-38)

Paul fought and ran a race. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Paul disciplined himself. (1 Corinthians 9:24)

(Hebrews 12:1)


Training for Spiritual Fitness

How are you training for spiritual warfare?

Parents :

Are you training your children for their spiritual future?

(2 Timothy 1:5).

Are you on the one path? (Matthew 7:13, 14)


The Ephesians Strength Building Routine

Step #1 – Dead in trespasses and sin but made alive

(Ephesians 2:1-5)

Step #2 – Paul’s encouragement to walk worthy.

(Ephesians 4:1)

Step #3 – Paul’s encouragement not to walk as the

Gentiles. (Ephesians 4:17)

Step #4 – Follow the path in truth and Jesus. (Ephesians

4:21)

Step #5 – Clothed in the new garments of Christ.

(Ephesians 4:22-24)


Why did the Ephesians have strength?

The Ephesians were different because of what they left. (Ephesians 4:25-31)

Falsehood > Truth


Strength Built on Actions

The Ephesians were different because of their actions: (Ephesians 4:26-31)

Sinning through anger (verse 26)

Giving the devil no opportunity (verse 27)

Working with their hands for something to share (verse

28)

Words of encouragement and grace (verse 29)

Not grieving the Hold Spirit (verse 30)

Putting away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander

and malice. (verse 31)


Strength built on Actions ..continued

The Ephesians were different because of what they did (Ephesians 4:32).

Kindness to one another

Tenderhearted attitudes

Forgiving one another


“…and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised

him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places…”

(Ephesians 1:19-20, ESV)

The lives of the Ephesians Christians are

different because of who they came in

contact with – Jesus!


How is your life different?

Step #1 – Are you alive in Christ? (Ephesians 2:1-5)

Step #2 – Are you walking worthy? (Ephesians 4:1)

Step #3 – Have you gone back to your old ways?

(Ephesians 4:17)

Step #4 – Are you on the right path? (Ephesians 4:21)

Step #5 – Are you strong in the garment of Christ.

(Ephesians 4:22-24)

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Studies in the letter to the EphesiansStudies in the letter to the Ephesians

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