Sermons on Ephesians 4:1-14:

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

Ligaments In The Church Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 25, 2019

Our culture suffers from profound loneliness, but God calls us into a church family with rich relationships.

You’ve heard me talk about my days of playing basketball years ago. I was never a star, but I had a lot of fun. There could be several reasons that I was never a star. There were a couple of minor problems, like I wasn’t especially good at either shooting or dribbling a ball. But another ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, Romans 12:16, Galatians 6:2, Romans 12:10, Romans 15:7, Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:11  (view more)  (view less)

5: Speaking The Truth In Love Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 25, 2019

Churches can become deeply dishonest as we fear to talk about the deepest longings and pains in our hearts. We grow when we dare to be honest together.

Back in 1997 a Jim Carey movie came out called Liar, Liar. Carey plays the title role. He is an attorney, a very successful attorney. But the movie opens with his little boy at school on the day when the children are giving reports on what their fathers do, and his son announces, “My daddy’s a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Speaking (And Hearing) The Truth In Love Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 25, 2019

It can be scary to be really honest with one another. Here are some guidelines to help us get started.

Two summers ago Kathy and I headed to northern Wisconsin for a vacation week. One of our stops was a day of white water rafting on the Wolf River. It was late in the season and the water was low, so it wasn’t as fast and splashy as the springtime might be. But the low water brought another ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, Galatians 6:1-2, Proverbs 15:32, Proverbs 10:17

Make Every Effort To Maintain The Unity Of The Spirit

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 25, 2019

We all know the pain of broken relationships. It is important to learn how to restore those relationships.

I want to talk about something this morning that isn’t much fun to talk about, but something we all struggle with and something that is very important. The topic is broken relationships. We all know the pain that broken relationships cause. When a marriage is broken by divorce, there is so ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, Matthew 5:23-24, Matthew 18:15

The Rich Man And Lazarus

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 20, 2018

Jesus gives us a life lesson here that is for both this life and the next. There are needy people at our doorsteps who need our compassion, love and resources in order to survive. Our wealth should not remove us from them.

The Rich man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31 As we have walked with Jesus through the Parables this year we have been taught how God values each one of us, men and women, boys and girls, young and old and rich and poor. Jesus has given us insights into how to live for God while we seek to live as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31, Acts 2:27-31, Ephesians 4:8-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Maintaining The Unity Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 4, 2018

The theme of this letter is "Christian Unity." Paul had established many churches, and watched them grow, so he realized that without unity, nothing else really matters.

The Book of Ephesians By: Tom Lowe Date: 8/3/17 Lesson 16: Maintaining the Unity (Ephesians 4:1-6) Ephesians 4:1-6 (KJV) 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Be Patient

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Jul 10, 2018

Patience and Long suffering, bearing with each other is something the bible tells us to do.

Patience – Bear with each other Eph 4:1-6 Patience – define: the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. I’m sure we ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

(Section 5) Pastor Appreciation -Pastor Winston Mcclurg Series

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Jul 12, 2018

Pastors should be appreciated daily as they do their work. There should be especially one day when they are recognized.

PASTORS –Pastor Winston McClurg I. GOD A. His Plan 1. Salvation Is God’s Will II Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:2, Romans 5:8, Jeremiah 3:15, Ephesians 4:11

Denomination: Pentecostal

(Section 6) Pastors Series

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Jul 12, 2018

A close look at the duties and difficulties of being a good pastor.

PASTORS I. PASTORS Eph 4:11-16 A. Defined 1. Pastor --- a shepherd, one who tends herds or flocks (not merely one who feeds them), is used metaphorically of Christian "pastors" --- Vine's 2. Applied spiritually to Christ a. Great Shepherd Heb. 13:20 of the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:15, John 10:11, Hebrews 13:20, Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Diversity Of Spiritual Gifts In Contributing Toward Unity Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 13, 2018

We must make a distinction between “spiritual gifts” and natural abilities. When you were born into this world God gave you certain natural abilities, perhaps in mechanics, art, athletics, or music. In this regard, all men are not created equal . . .

Commentary on the Book of Ephesians By: Tom Lowe Date: 8/13/17 Lesson 17: The Diversity of Spiritual Gifts in Contributing Toward Unity (Ephesians 4:7-16) Ephesians 4:7-16 (KJV) 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Baptist

Unity In The Body Series

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Jul 16, 2018

We are called to unity, not just to be together. No one was ever called to walk this Christian life alone. Every member of the body is responsible to maintain the unity. We maintain unity by individually and collectively keeping our focus on Jesus.

Concerning unity in the church, one of my favorit commentators and Christian authors, A.W. Tozer, the great evangelist and Christian theologian from 60 years ago, commented: Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same tuning fork are automatically tuned to each other? ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist