The Call to Service

Introduction: As Christians, we are called to serve God, giving Him honor and glory through our lives.

Memory Verse: Philippians 1:6 (HCSB) - “6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

The Writer:

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter at approximately A.D. 60-64 He met the believers in Ephesus during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:18-21) and established the church during his third journey, spending three years with them (Acts 19). The Audience:

Believers around the banking and cultural metropolis city of Ephesus. People who had been steeped in idol worship dedicated to the Goddess Diana.

Demetrius, the silversmith gathered a mob against Paul out of concern that their trade wold become obsolete. (Acts 19:24-29). The Outline of Ephesians

Chapter 1: The Body of Christ Chapter 2: The Temple of God Chapter 3: The Mystery of God Chapter 4: The New Man in Christ Chapter 5: The Bride of Christ Chapter 6: The Army of Christ

7 Divine Calls From God

Call to Salvation Call to Sanctification Call to Service Call to Separation Call to Sonship Call to Subjection Call to Suffering

Questions to Ask Yourself:

Have I accepted the free gift of God’s salvation and been truly saved through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? How can I serve God through my local church? Am I intentionally sharing my faith with others, so that they too will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ?

We Are Saved by the Grace of God (2:8)

Saving Grace (2:8) - “For by grace are ye saved,

Romans 3:24 (KJV) - “24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

Ephesians 2:4-5 (KJV) - “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together in Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Saved Through Faith (2:8) - “through faith”

🔑 John 5:24 (KJV) - “24 Verily, verily, I say unto you*, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

Romans 4:5 (KJV) - “5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Galatians 3:14 (KJV) - “14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Galatians 3:22 (KJV) - “22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”

We Are Saved As a Gift From God (2:8b-9)

Free Gift From God (2:8b) - “and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…”

Matthew 16:17 (KJV) - “17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

John 1:12-13 (KJV) - “12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Acts 14:27 (KJV) - “27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”

Colossians 2:12 (HCSB) - “12 Having been buried with Him in baptism, you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

Illustration: During the Spanish-American War, Clara Barton was overseeing the work of the Red Cross in Cuba. One day Colonel Theodore Roosevelt came to her and wanted to buy food for his sick, and wounded Rough Riders. But Mrs. Barton refused to sell him any. Roosevelt was perplexed by her response. His men needed the help and he was prepared to pay out of his own funds. When he asked someone why he could not buy the supplies, he was told, “Colonel, just ask for it, and she will give it to you free.” A smile broke over Roosevelt’s face. Now he understood — the provisions were not for sale. All he had to do was simply ask and they would be given freely.”

God’s grace is a greater gift, which God gives to those who would accept, by faith, His son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as their only savior.

Free Gift Independent of Our Service (2:9) - “not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Romans 3:20 (HCSB) - “20 For no flesh will be justified in His sight by the works of the law, for through the law [comes] the knowledge of sin.”

Romans 3:27-28 (KJV) - “27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

🔑 1 Corinthians 1:29-31 (HCSB) - “29 so that no one can boast in His presence. 30 But from Him you are in Christ Jesus, who for us became wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.”

2 Timothy 1:9 (HCSB) - “9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”

We Serve As a Symbol of God’s Good Works (2:10)

Symbolize God’s Performance (2:10a) - “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,”

Note (2:10) “The concept of an inactive church member is an oxymoron. Biblically, no such church member really exists.

1 Corinthians 3:9 (HCSB) - “9 For we are God's co-workers. You are God's field, God's building.”

2 Corinthians 5:5 (HCSB) - “5 And the One who prepared us for this very thing is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (HCSB) - “17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.”

🔑 Philippians 1:6 (HCSB) - “6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Hebrews 13:21 (HCSB) - “21 equip you with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

🔑 Matthew 5:16 (HCSB) - “16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Romans 12:11 (HCSB) - “11 Do not lack diligence, be fervent in Spirit; serve the Lord.”

🔑 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV) - “58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Colossians 1:10 (HCSB) - “10 so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing [to Him], bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God.”

2 Peter 2:12 (HCSB) - “12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do evil, they may, by observing your good works, glorify God in a day of visitation.”

Serve God Based on His Plan (2:10b) - “which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them…”

Romans 8:29 (HCSB) - “29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.”

🔑 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (HCSB) - “4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”