Category: Pastor_Dave

In our message, WALK IN WISDOM (Eph. 5:15-21), we see God calls us as His children to be alert… to be awake. As children of the light, we are to “walk circumspectly” in this world (Eph. 5:15a; 2 Pet. 1:19; Ps. 119:105, etc.). Circumspect comes from two Latin words that means to be looking around. The Greek word carries the idea of precision and accuracy. The words “See then” in verse 15 show us God is referring to what He just said in verse 14- to paraphrase…

• Don’t walk in your sleep!

In our message, FORGIVE AS CHRIST FORGAVE US (Eph. 4:28-32), we continued to look at God’s call to the church to “put off” that old nature whenever we see it in our lives and instead “put on” Christ (Eph. 4:22-24; Rom. 6:11; Gal. 6:14, etc.).

Practically speaking this means not “lying” or becoming “angry” in a sinful way- because such vices are ways the devil can develop a “place” in our lives with which to lead us into further sin (Eph.… Continue reading

In our message, PUT ON THE NEW HUMANITY (Eph. 4:17-27), we continued to look at God’s call to the church to follow Him as His disciples. Not only are Christians to “walk worthy” of Christ by making every effort “to keep the unity of the Spirit” with the gifts Jesus has provided us with, we also are to NOT walk as we did before we were saved (Eph. 4:17).

Lost people, God reminds us, “walk… in the futility [or vanity] of their mind” (Eph.… Continue reading

In our message, EVERY PART DOES ITS SHARE (Eph. 4:11-16), we continued Paul’s discussion on gifts from Christ to the church. The Bible says, “to each” Christian, the risen Jesus has given at least one gift (Eph. 4:7-10; 1 Cor. 12:7, 11, Rom. 12:3-8, etc.).

To lay “the foundation” of the church, Jesus first made “some to be apostles” (Eph. 2:20; 3:5; 4:11a, etc.). Apostles wrote much of the New Testament (NT), performed miracles, had to see Christ in resurrected form and told others about Him from their eyewitness accounts (Acts 1:21-22; 9:40; 19:11-12; 1 Cor.… Continue reading

In our message, ENDEAVORING TO KEEP GOD’S UNITY (Eph. 4:1-10), we moved from doctrine to our walk with Christ. Ultimately, what we believe determines how we will behave.

The Bible says here, “Therefore…”- that is in view of all that has been said in Ephesians chapters 1 through 3, God begs us “to walk worthy” of Him and His kingdom (Eph. 4:1; Rom. 12:1-2, etc.). The word “worthy” in the Greek is axiōs, and means ‘equal weight.’… Continue reading

In our message, MAKING CHRIST AT HOME (Eph. 3:8-21), Paul continued to explain why the mystery of the church is important.

In the church, God’s limitless, “unsearchable” grace is revealed (Eph. 3:8), and it was Paul’s job (as well as ours today) to enlighten everyone about God’s secret plan “which from the beginning of the ages [had] been hidden in God (Eph. 3:5, 9; Matt. 28:18-20; John 7:37-39; Acts 1:8; 4:12, etc.) As unique objects of God’s grace, we are told even angels now look to “the church” in an attempt to discover “the manifold wisdom of God” (Eph.… Continue reading

In our message, GOD’S LIVING ETERNAL TEMPLE (Eph. 2:19-3:7), we looked in greater detail at the mystery of the church which was not revealed in Old Testament times. Believing non-Jewish people who were once far away from their Creator are now “fellow citizens” of His kingdom and part of His very “household” (Eph. 2:15, 19). Today, this new humanity/the church is being “built… into a temple of the Lord… a dwelling place” for Him (Eph. 2:21-22; John 14:7; 1 Cor.… Continue reading

In our message, PEACE WITH GOD (Eph. 2:11-18), we looked at how the Lord destroys barriers and hostility between people. Probably no greater rift existed between people in the first century than the divide between Israelite and Gentile people.

The majority of the church at Ephesus was “Gentile… Uncircumcision” (Eph. 2:11). Paul calls them to “remember” their condition before the Good News of Jesus came to them. As Gentiles, they lacked five privileges that Jewish people possessed (Eph.… Continue reading

In our sermon, SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH (Eph. 2:4-10), we looked at the most important message in the Bible.

Even though all people are born “dead in trespasses and sins… [and are] children of [God’s] wrath,” the Creator did not want to send anyone to hell because He is also “rich in mercy” (Eph. 2:1-4a; Rom. 3:23; John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9, etc.). With underserved kindness, motivated by “His great love with which He loved us,” God acted.… Continue reading