Sermon Series

GROWING TOGETHER WITH CHRIST

The Series Title ‘Growing Together with Christ’ from the book of Ephesians helps us think beyond individual application. The Apostle Paul carefully uncovers the mystery of God’s plan to bring Jew and Gentile together. His aim is to unite the local and global church as the body of Christ (1:22-23; 3:6; 4:4,15,16; 5:30) to walk worthy of her calling (4:1, 5:1-2).

This is not the usual letter written to address a particular church on particular issues. Paul had time in prison to deepen his teaching and awe of God. He intended it to be a sermon for many churches to read. It has a special emphasis on God’s grace applied through His triune eternal existence. The Apostle Paul writes as one who has richly received God’s grace and he has not forgotten it. In this letter we have Paul’s most lofty and heartfelt prayers.

Paul spends the first half warming believers to a whole-hearted love for God in response to His amazing grace. The second half bids us to respond appropriately: imitate Christ’s love in the church and world (4:2-5:21), the home (5:22-6:4) and the workplace (5:2-6:9). We will be challenged to be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving (4:32). We will need to lay aside worldly thinking, talk and actions (4:25-31).

We are not without God’s help for walking in a manner worthy of the calling (4:1). We have the Holy Spirit for wisdom to know God’s will, building up the body of Christ and for mutual submission (5:18-21). We are also reminded that the spiritual battles we face in this world are not won in our strength but in the strength of God’s might and by God’s means (6:10-20). May we all grow to together to have an incorruptible love for our Lord Jesus Christ (6:24).

We look forward to growing with Christ together throughout this series. The series will take a break for Advent season and return to complete our exploration of Ephesians in the New Year.

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