Sermons on Ephesians 1:1-21:

Paul And Ephesus

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jul 29, 2019

We hear Paul's letter to the Ephesians like we might overhear someone talking on the phone. We get only half of the conversation. If we are going to understand Paul's teaching we need to learn as much as possible about the circumstances of his readers.

Years ago there was a farmer from a very small village in Germany who was just itching to get out and see something of the world. His big chance came when his nephew got a job on a barge that would sail up the Rhine River to Rotterdam. Even if it only stayed there for one day to drop off one ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-2

God Chose You

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jul 29, 2019

Some of us might have trouble believing that the big, eternal God would ever even notice little old me. But Paul, right from the start of his letter to the Ephesians, emphasized that God had chosen them to be his.

This is our third Sunday now focusing on the book of Ephesians. At last we're getting around to starting at the beginning. We have already peaked at parts of chapter 2 and chapter 3 because of special themes for Epiphany and Human Relations Sunday. But now we get back to a more orderly ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

You've Got A Lot Going For You, Part 1: God The Father

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jul 29, 2019

Too many Christians feel inadequate to be any use to God or their church. Paul reminds the Ephesian Christians of the resources they have going for them.

In any church you’ll find some members who sit on the sidelines, feeling like they don’t really belong on the team. They have heard a number of times that God loves them, but in their hearts, they wonder. They feel a little lonely at church, a little on the sidelines. And they’d like to get to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

You've Got A Lot Going For You, Part 2: The Trinity

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jul 29, 2019

It can be confusing to talk about serving one God who is 3 persons. We may think we can just ignore abstract ideas like that. But this part of the nature of our God is one of the richest blessings of being a Christian

Last week we started looking at the main body of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. He starts out with a very high falutin statement of the glory of God, listing first, blessings we have received through God the Father, then through God the Son, then through God the Holy Spirit. Starting out like ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

God The Son Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jul 29, 2019

We may think we can make our own way to be good enough, but our only hope is in the redemption won by Jesus.

We are still at the beginning of working our way through one of the most amazing books of the Bible, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. It presents the most beautiful picture of the church and the Christian life, a picture that really stretches your mind. The last two weeks we have been working ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jul 29, 2019

The Christian faith focuses on what God did long ago and will do in the future. But an experience of the Holy Spirit is a taste of what God means to us here and now, deep in our hearts.

Today we’ll finish up with the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Because of holidays and our communion schedule we haven’t done the chapter in order. Some weeks ago we started looking at the trinitarian opening of the letter, with Paul’s introduction of God the Father, God the Son, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Blessed Be You

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jul 29, 2019

Maybe you have heard many promises of blessings in Christ, but aren't experiencing them for yourself. Perhaps the next step is an act of faith to receive those blessings.

The last two Sundays we’ve taken a break from working through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Those were Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. And those Sundays are always a treat. But today we go back to the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. And that’s a different kind of treat. If you ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

He Is The First In Everything!!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Jul 29, 2019

In this message, Yours Truly aims to glorify His Heavenly Sire, Saviour and Sustainer by focusing on His unique attribute of being the originator of love, faith and hope in us.

HE IS THE FIRST IN EVERYTHING!!! “….He is first in everything”- Col 1:18 (TLB) Speaking about the pre-eminence of worship in a Christian’s life, a Biblical scholar put it wisely “If prayer and praise are a preoccupation about our needs and blessings respectively, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:19, Ephesians 1:3-5, 1 Corinthians 15:20

Denomination: *other

True Treasure Derives From God's Good Pleasure Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 3, 2019

Earthly pleasure is temporary and important to God in terms of legality and morality, but true pleasure comes from God our Father who has gifted His children with the True Treasure that is SO important in terms of eternity.

“My pleasure” is an idiom I sometimes use in response to a “thank you” . . . sort of like a special way of saying “you’re welcome” but reserved for gratifying, delightful experiences which rise above the customary courtesy level . . . of just being polite. Actually to discover true pleasure ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24, Luke 12:32, Ephesians 1:9, Philippians 2:13

Boiling Within Or Spreading Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Aug 12, 2019

The love of constrains us to take the Gospel to all. I am enjoying with the message of Christ and salvation. Why I have to boil within myself, I have to take the Gospel to all.

Ephesians 1:5-11, Boiling or Sprawling Theme explanation: According to John Wesley, The theology of ‘Predestination’ reminds that our salvation is secured in Christ (John 10:28). When we are in Christ nothing is accident and unwarranted. But everything is under the knowledge of God including my ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:5-11

Denomination: Methodist

Apostles' Creed: Recognizing The Maker Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 14, 2019

Belief in God as Creator gives life meaning, gives wisdom, and sustains human flourishing.

APOSTLES’ CREED: Recognizing the Creator The Apostles’ Creed begins simply and boldly: “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.” Our God is the Creator of the universe, and more importantly, he is the Creator of us. He says in Isaiah 45:12, “It is I who made the earth ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:1-9, Psalm 19:1-11, Genesis 1:1-2, Ephesians 1:4-10, Romans 1:20-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Apostles' Creed: Our Savior Is In Heaven Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 14, 2019

1. Our Savior has all authority and power. 2. Our Savior is our Advocate, 3. Our Savior is holding a place for us in heaven.

APOSTLES’ CREED: Our Savior Is in Heaven In our study of the Apostles’ Creed, we began with God the Father, and then focused on God the Son coming to earth: He was born, he died, and he rose from the dead. Now we say, “He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:20-22, Romans 8:33-34, Hebrews 4:14-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

To Be Like Jesus

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Aug 18, 2019

Having a hoarders mentality doesn’t allow us to live or share the life of goodness and generosity God has planned for those who Love Him!

To be like Jesus... Our topic today on the fruit of the spirit is goodness and the generosity it brings out in the world. Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided - Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:7-10, John 15:11, Psalm 23:6, Ephesians 1:3-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Resurrection Of Christ - A Foundational Truth

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Apr 12, 2020

Today we will focus on the main fundamental truth of the Christian Faith. – Christ is Risen!

INTRODUCTION • "Easter Sunday" is mentioned only one time in the Bible – cf. Acts 12:4 o What we generally refer to as Easter is mentioned elsewhere in the Bible as “Passover.” o Children wake up in delight as they find “Easter Baskets” beside their beds. o Some call it a pagan holiday. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:4, 1 Corinthians 15:14-19, Acts 2:32, Acts 10:39-41, Romans 4:13-24, Matthew 26:26-29, Romans 8:33-34, Colossians 2:6-15, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Romans 8:12-15, 1 Peter 1:3, Romans 14:8-9, Ephesians 1:15-23, Ephesians 1:17-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

God's Family

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Apr 13, 2020

A continuing look at being part of God's family fulfills one of our purposes in life.

First Baptist Church God’s Family March 8, 2020 A woman was about to pay for the items she was purchasing, when she opened her purse the cashier noticed a television remote control in her purse, so she asked, “I don’t mean to be nosy, but, do you always carry a TV remote in your purse?" The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-45, Ephesians 1:5, 1 John 4:20-21

Denomination: Baptist