Sermons on Ephesians 4:11-17:

"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

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

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

Coming Into The Light Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 25, 2019

Much of our world goes through life with blinders on, blind to the good things God has for us.

If you go into Chicago, maybe to the loop or North Michigan Avenue on a warm evening, you might see a strange sight, a 19th century horse and buggy out in the street in the 21st century. It’s wonderfully quaint to be brought back in time to ‘the good old days,’ and see a real horse in modern ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Part 2: Putting Away The Old Self Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 25, 2019

If we want to walk in God's freedom, a first step is to stop doing the things that distance us from our God.

If you go into Chicago, maybe to the loop or North Michigan Avenue on a warm evening, you might see a strange sight, a 19th century horse and buggy out in the street in the 21st century. It’s wonderfully quaint to be brought back in time to ‘the good old days,’ and see a real horse in modern ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

3 Putting On The New Self Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 25, 2019

All our lives people tell us who we are, whether out loud by their words, or silently by the way they treat us. A distorted self image leads to a distorted life. Jesus says we are children of God. Put that image on every morning as you start your day.

Every morning we face the world with this momentous decision. “What am I going to wear today?” If you are doing something important in your job you might put on your very best, just that combination that says I am confident, but not too pushy. Something creative, but not weird. Something ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Stewarding The Call Series

Contributed by Charles La Porte on Jun 21, 2016

Today I want to continue with Elected – Called and Gifted and we will learn what we need to do to Steward the calling that God has for us.

Elected, Called and Gifted pt2 Stewarding the Call Ephesians 4:1-16 The Lord placed this series on my heart when I was ending the last series “Mom’s and Miracles” and we talked about “walking in the Miracle” In Matthew 14 Jesus calls Peter to walk on the water… ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Pastors - Their Biblical Calling

Contributed by Mario Bruni D. D.. on Jul 16, 2016

Let us now examine the most Biblically undefined office, the Pastor. This office over many years of church history has been run down, despised, overlooked, traditionalized, glorified, idolized, and even cherished, but always misunderstood.

Pastors “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.” Ephesians 4:11 Let us now ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Commitment To Grow

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 19, 2016

God desires that every Christian grow to maturity in Christ. Three areas that we often need to grow in are worship, witness and work.

Introduction: A. Last Sunday, We spent some time trying to get a clear and simple vision of our God-given mission for our congregation. 1. I introduced a vision statement that I believe will give us a needed handle for pleasing God. 2. So what is it that God wants us to be as a church? God wants ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ