SF746 - We Are Family (Ephesians 2 19)
Ephesians 2:19
Introduction
Paul likens the local Church to a…
Building (Ephesians 2:20-22)
Bride (2 Corinthians 11:2)
Body (Romans 12:5)
Family
(Ephesians 2:19 NCV) "Now you who are not Jewish are not foreigners or strangers any longer, but are citizens together with God's holy people. You belong to God's family."
Ø The building speaks of strength.
Ø The bride speaks of purity.
Ø The body speaks of unity.
Ø The family speaks of community.
For this to be true we must start together, stand together and stay together.
Satan delights in dividing God’s people.
Abraham - Lot (Genesis 13)
Jacob - Esau (Genesis 27)
Joseph - Brothers (Genesis 37)
The Children of Israel (Numbers 14)
David - Absalom (2 Samuel 17)
Nehemiah warned against it (Nehemiah 4)
The New Testament sets forth the same concern
(Galatians 5:15 NIV) "If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."
Seven Principles for Family Life…
1A. The Principle of Unity (Ephesians 4:1-6)
1B. Unity is built by what we do. (1-3)
Ø Lowliness, Humble = modesty:--humbleness of mind
Ø Gentleness; Gentle =meekness.
Ø Longsuffering, Patient = forbearance or fortitude
Ø Bearing with… = to hold oneself up against, put up with:--bear with to endure, forbear, suffer.
Ø Keep the unity…of peace =tereo, - to guard (from loss or injury, prop. by keeping the eye upon;--hold fast, watch.
2B. Unity is based on what we believe. (4-6)
Ø One body - the church
Ø One Spirit - the Holy Spirit
Ø One hope - eternal life
Ø One Lord - Jesus Christ
Ø One Faith - faith in Christ alone
Ø One Baptism - baptism of the Spirit at salvation
Ø One God and Father of all!
Unity is not based on methodology it is built on Theology.
(Amos 3:3 NIV) "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?"
We must guard unity!!!!
2A. The Principle of Love (Colossians 3:12-14)
1B. The way we are to express our love (12-13)
By the way we think (12)
By the way we act (13)
Ø Forgiveness = Love!
2B. The way we will experience this love (14)
Ø Bond = a joint tie, i.e. ligament
3A. The Principle of Reconciliation
1B. Reconcile if you are at fault (Matthew 5:23-24)
Reconciliation is more important than worship
2B. Reconcile if someone else is at fault (Matthew 18:15-17)
Go directly to the person - do not include anyone else
Go back with 2-3 witness (spiritually mature believers).
Make the church aware of the problem, through the deacons/ministers.
Ø Do not make negative remarks about the person
Treat them as someone who needs to be saved.
4A. The Principle Restoration (Galatians 6:1-5)
Seek to restore not to reject (1-2)
(Luke 23:34 NIV) "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots."
Beware of a prideful, judgmental spirit (3-4)
(Romans 12:3 NIV) "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."
Concern yourself with your own spiritual walk (5)
(Ephesians 4:1 NIV) "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."
Do make anonymous accusations.
5A. The Principle of Service (Galatians 5:13-14)
We have been saved to serve.
(Matthew 20:26-28 NIV) "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, {27} and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- {28} just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.""
When we serve, we fulfill God’s law (14)
(Matthew 22:37-40 NIV) "Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' {38} This is the first and greatest commandment. {39} And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' {40} All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
6A. The Principle of Leadership
Leaders are to feed the church
(John 21:17 NIV) "The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" … Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."
Leaders are to lead the church
“To the elders I say… Be shepherds of God’s flock, serving as overseers...” 1 Peter 5:1-2
“Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. Whey they arrived he said to them... Guard yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be pastors of the church of God...”Acts 20:17-18, 28
The church is to honor and follow her leaders
(Hebrews 13:17 NIV) "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."
7A. The Principle of Peace (Romans 14:19-21)
Our goal should be to edify (build) each other. (19)
A mark of spiritual maturity is putting the kingdom and others first. (20-21)
Ø We need to be sensitive to the concerns of others.
A mark of spiritual maturity is giving up my rights so that I do not offend others. (15:1)
This will produce peace - where there is not peace is an indication of a lack of spiritual maturity!
Application
Have you done all you can to guard the unity of our church?
Have you always related to others in the spirit of God’s love?
Have you followed the biblical steps of reconciliation?
Have you sought to restore those who have fallen or have you rejected them?
Do you come to church to serve or to be served?
As a leader are you feeding and leading in love?
As a member have you made life a joy for your leaders?
Are you a peace maker? - Are you spiritually mature enough not to have your way all the time.
WE ARE FAMILY
Sunday, September 5, 1999 - Ephesians 2:19
Seven Principles for Family Life…
1A. The Principle of ____________ (Ephesians 4:1-6)
1B. Unity is __________________ by what we do. (1-3)
2B. Unity is ______________ on what we believe. (4-6)
Unity is not based on methodology it is built on Theology.
(Amos 3:3 NIV) "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?"
2A. The Principle of _________ (Colossians 3:12-14)
1B. The way we are to ____________ our love (12-13)
2B. The way we will experience this ___________ (14)
3A. The Principle of Reconciliation
1B. Reconcile if ______ are at fault (Matthew 5:23-24)
Reconciliation is __________ important than worship
2B. Reconcile if someone ________________ is at fault (Matthew 18:15-17)
Go directly to the person - do not include anyone else
Go back with 2-3 ______________________________ (spiritually mature believers).
Make the ________________ aware of the problem, through the deacons/ministers.
Treat them as someone who needs to be ___________.
4A. The Principle Restoration (Galatians 6:1-5)
Seek to restore not to __________________________ (1-2)
Beware of a prideful, judgmental ________________ (3-4)
Concern yourself with your __________ spiritual walk (5)
5A. The Principle of Service (Galatians 5:13-14)
We have been saved to _____________________________.
Matthew 20:26-28
When we serve, we ___________________ God’s law (14)
Matthew 22:37-40
6A. The Principle of _____________________________
Leaders are to ___________________________ the church
John 21:17
Leaders are to lead the church (1 Peter 5:1-2; Acts 20:17-18, 28)
The church is to honor and follow her leaders (Hebrews 13:17)
7A. The Principle of Peace (Romans 14:19-21)
Our goal should be to __________ (build) each other. (19)
A mark of spiritual maturity is putting the kingdom and others _______________________. (20-21)
A mark of spiritual maturity is giving up ____________ rights so that I do not offend others. (15:1)