Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro; When Paul wrote this letter to the church at Ephesus he was in a Roman prison.

Paul had invested a lot of time in these people on two of his missionary journeys [3 years].

In Ephesus, like many areas of the world at that time/today, Christianity confronted many man made philosophies, cults and other religions [Dennis shared in his message about the gates of hell being an altar to the god Pan close to Caesarea Philippi Mt 16:18/ Paul on Mars Hill/Areopagus in Acts 17].

So Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesians to clarify “church”.

What it is, how one becomes a part of it, and how one draws upon their spiritual resources for daily living as they grow in Christ.

In your wallet/purse most of us have some type of membership card showing that you are affiliated with that organization [Farm Bureau, Visa, Rotary, etc..] That card also carries privileges that you enjoy with that organization that others don’t have because they are not members.

In a similar manner being a part of the “church” has it’s privileges that others do not enjoy.

In this series “My Life In The Church” we’re going to look at those benefits that Paul writes about in the Book of Ephesians.

The first benefit we will look at is how we are “Connected In Christ”

Text; Eph.

1:1-14

Church- [ekklesia/noun] assembly, a summoned group of people.

[kyrakion/adjective]belonging to the Lord, the Lord’s house.

The church is an assembly of summoned people for the worship of Almighty God with the intent/purpose of public demonstration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1. Chosen By The Father; 3-6

He Chose us- [By His will/love] In God’s amazing grace He implemented the perfect plan of salvation in Christ to redeem fallen man.

To choose is not necessarily implying the rejection of what is not chosen, but giving favor to the chosen subject, keeping in view a relationship to be established between the one choosing and the object chosen for a greater purpose.

God could have used anybody to be His people to live before a wicked world and prove the glory of His goodness, but He chose Israel for this.

Use the analogy of NFL draft picks chosen in order for the need of the team, not necessarily by the best players.

John 15:16 (NKJV)

16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Jesus chose the disciples, fishermen to fish for the souls of men.

Acts 9:15–16 (NKJV)

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Paul was chosen at a specific time to be saved to use his boldness for Christ instead of against Him, even to the point of suffering!

You are chosen by God for the blessing of salvation in Christ for the purpose of glorifying the Father here on earth.

2. Redeemed By The Son; 7-12

Redeemed- pay a ransom, to redeem one from bondage by paying a price.

Christ’s death was the price God demanded to redeem us from slavery to sin.

God never skips over sin.

Someone has to pay the price—either you or an acceptable substitute.

Because we are not able within ourselves to pay God’s demand for our redemption, Jesus became our substitute.

On the cross Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), meaning, “paid in full.”

[7] redemption, forgiveness of sins, according to His grace

[v.8-12]

You and I have been Chosen by the Father to be redeemed by The Son.

And God has made it known to each individual the mystery of His will that at the fullness of time one can understand His call, confess our sin and trust in Christ to the praise of His glory and our benefit of a eternal inheritance in Him!

3. Sealed By The Spirit; 13-14

Sealed- A small engraved object [ring/stamp] used to make an image in soft clay or wax indicating ownership, authority, or authenticity—much like a modern signature.

When God calls one to salvation and we respond in faith through repentance unto redemption, then the Holy Spirit becomes the seal of ownership, authority and authenticity over our life.

Seal of Ownership- knowing you are saved and belong to God.

God leaves no doubt!

John 10:27 (NKJV)

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Seal of Authority- the right and power to have influence over another.

Since we belong to God He has rights over our lives and He initiates those rights through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Two examples;

Seal of Authenticity- the quality of being real.

A person who is truly saved is authentic in Christ and lives by the power of the Spirit to produce spiritual fruit.

Matthew 7:15–20 (NKJV)

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

16 You will know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

That person who is sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise has the guarantee of the inheritance of God.

“Well done thou good and faithful servant…, enter into the joy of your lord.”

Close;

Let’s compare our membership in the church to our membership in the organizations we looked at in the beginning of my message.

1.

What will you gain?

Church; salvation, new family, Holy Spirit, truth, heaven

Card; certain perks on special days if you buy a certain dollar worth of merchandise

2. How much will it cost?

Church; Nothing!

God will provide all our needs to be blessed in Him

Card; Annual dues, monthly payments, interest if not paid in full

3. How long will it last?

Church; Eternity

Card; Temporary

We need to thank God daily for the opportunity to be included in His family, the “Church.”

Ask yourself this week, “What can I do for God’s church?”

If you consider being a part of the church a privilege then share the gospel with someone this week or invite them to church with you.

“Get them Connected In Christ!”