Sermons on Ephesians 4:1-13:

I Believe That Because He Can Fly, I Can Fly Too

Contributed by Joel Pankow on May 13, 2021

A look at Jesus' Ascension and what it means for us

5.16.21 Ephesians 4:7–16 7 But to each one of us grace was given, according to the measure of the gift from Christ. 8 That is why it says, “When he ascended on high, he took captivity captive and gave gifts to his people.” 9 Now what does it mean when it says “he ascended,” other than that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Lutheran

A Safe Place To Come Close

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

Humility and gentleness are keys for creating a church fellowship where people feel safe to come close to one another.

Last week we started with the dilemma of two porcupines on a very cold night, who needed to snuggle up close to each other to stay warm. But the closer they got the more they pricked each other with their quills, so they pulled apart. But the more they pulled apart, the colder they got. So it ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, Matthew 11:28-29

Bearing With One Another In Love

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

All of us have needed to have people be patient with us when we were slow to grow and learn, working through a deep wound in our heart or just having a bad day. One of the best ways to help our churches and all their members is to learn to be patient with them, bearing with them in love.

I don’t get to do it very often anymore, but I love fishing. I grew up near a muddy little lake where you could catch bullheads and bluegills almost any time you tried. But catching fish is only part of the joy. Two years ago we vacationed up in Minnesota. The first evening we went out to a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Maintaining God's Unity

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

When God's church is unified in love, wonderful power flows. But too often the flow is blocked. We need to learn to maintain the unity that God provides for us.

We lived for 7 years up in Winthrop Harbor, the Cornerstone of Illinois. Our house was 6 blocks from the Wisconsin border and about 2 miles from the Lake Michigan shoreline. We were maybe 5 miles from the Zion Nuclear Plant. We had several good friends who worked there. This week I’ve been ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, James 5:16, Romans 15:7, Colossians 3:16, Romans 12:10  (view more)  (view less)

Be One! Be Different!

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

No one is useless in the church. The Holy Spirit gives everyone some gifting that they can contribute. The church needs you.

This is a bit embarrassing to say, but I have this thing about doing the Tribune’s crossword puzzle each day, and I couldn’t finish Saturday’s and it’s bugging me. Maybe you can help me out. Then I can focus on our sermon text. Can you help me for a minute? I got most of it already. This should ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7, Ephesians 4:11-16

Together We Grow Stronger Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Sep 17, 2019

In Christ our growth is specialized, supported and specific.

TOGETHER WE GROW STRONGER I heard the story of a guy who went to a Raptors game. The tickets he got were terrible, upper level way in the back, so he could hardly see a thing. He noticed that there was an empty seat court side right in the center so he made his way down to the empty seat. When ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Proclaimer’s Appreciation

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Oct 7, 2019

October is the season of the year which is set aside to appreciate those who have the Christ apportioned gift of pastor. The truths in this message will set your heart in good order for pleasing the Lord.

Proclaimer’s Appreciation Honoring Those Who Teach The Word of God According to the Book of Ephesians chapter four, Jesus gave pastors to the Body of Christ to prepare them for works of service, so they mature in their faith and be unified in the work of the Lord. Pastoral Appreciation month has ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16, 2 Timothy 4:12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"you Don't Have To Go To Church To Be A Christian" Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 7, 2019

This common reason for not coming to church shows two fundamental misunderstandings: 1) what is a Christian and 2) what is church. Help someone see that being a Christian means being part of a church.

People are not going to church as much as they used to. I could give you the statistics, but I don’t think that I need to because you’ve probably personally observed or experienced it yourself. You may have seen it with your own family members, your co-workers, your friends, in the conversations ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25, Ephesians 4:11-13, John 8:31-36

Denomination: Lutheran

The Church Is God's Team

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Oct 11, 2019

United in Jesus Christ, all Christians are on the same team...God's team. We stand united in mission to the world through Jesus Christ regardless of what our denominational title may be or if we are Protestant, Orthodox or Catholic. We all proclaim and live out the commands of Jesus Christ.

WITHIN EVERY HUMAN HEART LIES THE YEARNING TO BE LOVED, AFFIRMED, UNDERSTOOD, AND USEFUL. I BELIEVE THERE IS NO OTHER PLACE IN WHICH TO HAVE THESE DESIRES FULFILLED THAN WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST, THE CHURCH. THERE IS NO SAFER PLACE ON EARTH IN WHICH TO USE ONE’S GIFTS, TALENTS AND ABILITIES THAN ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:4-11, Galatians 6:10, Ephesians 4:4-7

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Enigmatic Concept Of Spiritual Unity

Contributed by Dr. Phillip Paschal on Oct 17, 2019

The United Body of Christ

THE ENIGMATIC CONCEPT OF SPIRITUAL UNITY EPHESIANS 4:1-3 The opening of chapter 4 marks the principal transition of the entire Epistle. As is his custom in other writings, Paul turns from the doctrinal to the practical. Paul recognizes the value of spiritual unity in the church because he had a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Apostles In The Church

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 24, 2019

Does it ever feel like the church is timid, afraid to take on new challenges? When we have those feelings, it may be because we are missing an important ministry of the church: the ministry of apostle.

Does it ever feel like the church never changes, or at least that if it does change, then the wheels of change turn very, very slowly? Does it ever feel like the church is timid, afraid to take on new challenges? Does it ever feel like the church is so busy just holding its own, surviving, that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7, Ephesians 4:11-16

Part 1: Know What We're Here For: Maturity Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 24, 2019

Churches that aren't clear on their purpose for being can hardly be effective. Our goal is maturity in Christ.

One of the deepest joys that I have ever experienced in all my life is the joy of watching our children turn into adults. I guess I always pretty much figured that would happen some day. But then, there were those times when they were upset with each other over the silliest things and the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

2: Equipping The Saints Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 24, 2019

Some people are content for church to be a spectator sport. But church works best when everyone gets out of the stands and gets into the game of ministry.

Would all the ministers of the church please raise their hands? You all know I’m the minister with my name on the sign. Are there any other ministers? I see hands going up. Let’s see some more. Let’s see more and more until every hand is up. If you are in God’s family, you are called to be a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

3: Building Up The Church Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 24, 2019

Do you neglect your soul all week, then come to church, expecting to be filled up? Or do you nourish your soul all week and come to build up others?

The Bible is full of different images to try to explain what the church is like and how it works. For example, the Apostle Paul often talks about the church as a building. But he didn’t mean a building made of wood or brick or stone. He meant a figurative building in which the members of the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Peter 2:5, Romans 14:19, Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 15:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Corinthians 14:26  (view more)  (view less)

3: The Church Is A Living Body Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 24, 2019

We need to rise above seeing the church as an institution and see the warm heart of love that really makes us the church

We are continuing in one of the Bible’s most comprehensive pictures of the church, a picture of a church that will meet many of the deepest longings in our hearts for rich and deep relationships, but a joyful and effective church. And there is so much in it to build that it takes a while to do ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16