Sermon Tone Analysis

INTRO:

Turn to your neighbor and say man I’m glad I’m sitting next you.

Now turn to your second choice.

Tell them although you are my second choice its not personal.

I saved the best for last.

I’m happy to...

I want to thank our pastors for the opportunity to bring a word.

SCRIPTURE:

We see Paul encouraging the Ephesians to grow up into Christ.

It’s centered around what this new life should look like in Christ.

This further supports the previous chapter in Ephesians where he talks about walking in a manner worthy of their calling.

TITLE: Grounded and Growing

My hope is that this message would serve as a helpful starting point for new believers and a reminder for the seasoned believer.

So if you made a decision for Jesus at Good Friday

PRAY

STORY:

I was thinking about my childhood recently and there is only one time in my childhood where I was actually in fear of my life and I wanted to share that experience with you guys cause I really think it’s important to be open and honest with my church family.

My parents did an amazing job raising me but this particular situation really scarred me as a kid and I’m still working through some of it today.

It was the day I went to my first Karate class.

There I am with my karate uniform and my white karate belt on.

Ready to go.

We walk into a room full of kids and various karate instructors.

It was a screaming match with aggressive movements and I was not about it.

I 100% thought one of those kids was gonna assassinate me on the spot.

(Act it out)

I got 5 minutes into the class and got overwhelmed and started crying.

I told my friends last week listen I am never doing that ever again.

I liked the uniform but was not about learning karate.

nah, I was about 7 or 8 years old.

But it clearly was not my vibe.

“Let’s go learn how to fight?”

How about we sit down and draw in a coloring book and eat lunchables.

Cause at this point that sounds like more of my speed.

You know the one thing that’s interesting about karate is you imitate those around you while following instructions and that becomes the quickest way to start learn the basics of the movements and how to control your own muscles and body.

It is the same when it comes to our faith in Jesus.

Imitating God is the best way to learn how to function in this new life we’ve been given!

We have the opportunity to take after our father.

You may be brand new to faith and you are asking where do I start?

Read everything you can find about Jesus in the bible and study how he lived his life and imitate him.

Take after his example.

Why?

This is how we stay grounded in God and grow!

POINTS:

I want to give a couple points on how to start well and maintain a faith that will keep you grounded and growing

POINT 1

Walk

There are two themes that he mentions in this scripture and we are going to revisit the first one in Ephesians 5:1-2.

What an amazing example of love on display.

Christ shows his love for us by willingly giving up his life for those that would believe.

The righteous died for the unrighteous and it is only through that exchange where it became an offering to God.

A pleasing fragrant to our Heavenly Father.

This sacrifice made a way for our salvation

The fact that we are God’s children is absolutely crazy to me.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.

Do you know that you are loved and he calls you his own?

*In the first verse Paul addresses the group of believers in Ephesus as beloved children.

The word “dear” is used here to describe the fact we are dearly loved or valued by God.

We are God’s beloved children!

So we can walk in love because God is the very definition of love and continues to be so loving toward us!

Another passage that we can look at is in Mark 12

A teacher of the law confronts Jesus and asks him a question

So we are commanded to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Which is a part of our DNA as a church “To love God and love people!”

We are a Mark 12 type of church!

*There are two parts to walking in love.

Love your God and love your neighbor as yourself!

The beautiful thing about it, is that when you operate in the first commandment it will naturally influence the second commandment!

Regardless of the situation…we should walk in love!

*Quick word to all of the men out there.

When you and your wife have spent 47 minutes trying to decide what to eat for dinner.

Walk in love.

You know while we are on that topic.

We all know that deep down you have a preference.

So when your man has boiled it down to Italian or Mexican and you tell him neither.

Instead of waiting to tell him that information, let him know 46 minutes earlier.

But regardless walk in love.*

Regardless of someone’s political views, thoughts on current events, or thoughts on anything in our society… we are ALL called to love no matter what their views are or where people are at on the journey.

The love we have recieved is not what we deserved.

So with a thankful heart we can operate from that love that we have been given.

*What does it look like for us to love in all areas of our lives?

We are called to walk in love and take after our father and we can accomplish that by spending more time with God.

*So we are to walk in love but the second theme is to walk in light.

Walking in light is mentioned later on in the passage (15 min)

When we walk in light the fruit of that life becomes goodness and righteousness which in return shows God’s character to others.

So as children of the light we are called to examine test and approve what is pleasing to the Lord.

Again we look to the word of God and how Jesus lived his life to do this.

SHARE EXAMPLE:

Share about the prop from the Exchange.

Glass of water represents your life and the food coloring is everything that is apart from God.

Our flesh, sin, negativity, etc.

A few drops effects the whole.

Before you know it the whole glass turns the color of the dye.

But as we add more water (His truth) and goodness, the things that were never meant to be a part of our lives gets flushed out.

The more light you put in, the more what needs to leave will but pushed out.

POINT 2

Retreat

A challenge for all of us is give God our undivided attention and withdraw more often.

How do we imitate God by looking at the example of Jesus?

Jesus got away and retreated often and we should as well.

Jesus got away with God but even he was faced with interruptions.