Victory Sermon Series: Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace

the big idea: 
We begin our fall worship with a study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians—a letter in which Paul celebrates what God’s great power has done for his believers, for his church. The first half of the letter deals with the gracious plan of salvation that God conceived already in eternity, implemented in time, and that will reach its completion on judgment day, when God will take us home to enjoy an eternity of bliss in heaven. All of this comes to us by grace, that is, as a free gift from God. The second half of the letter outlines our response to God’s grace, encouraging us to live a life of love and service to God and to each other.

Sept 7th—Rejoice In Who You Are
Scriptures: Genesis 1:24-28; John 1:1-5,10-13, Psalm 139 
Sermon Text: Ephesians 1:1-14
Oprah (and so many others) repeatedly stress the importance of finding our personal self-worth. Where does a Christian find his/her self-worth? Paul directs us to God’s creating and redeeming work. I’m personally fashioned by the hand of God. I’m chosen. I am forgiven. God conceived the whole plan of salvation with me in mind. I’m worth that much!

Sept 14th—Rejoice In Where We Are Going
Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Mark 10:13-16, Psalm 78 
Sermon Text: Ephesians 1:15-2:10
The Scriptures reveal an astounding fact. That the same power that was at work in Christ when he died, was raised to life and was exalted to the right hand of God—this same incredible power is at work in us! The purpose of any and all Christian education is to better know this hope to which Christ has called us. Especially today, there are so many things pulling us in different directions. What a blessing Christian education is on all levels. God help us take advantage of this important gift.

Sept 21st—Rejoice In Who We Are Together
Scriptures: Isaiah 56:1-8; Matthew 18:15-20; Psalm 133-134 
Sermon Text: Ephesians 2:11-22
There are a lot of things that can divide us (age, culture, desiring stability/seeking change). God has united us in the church. The Lord is among us. He tears down the walls that divide and makes peace between us.

Sept 28th—Rejoice In What We Have
Scriptures: Deuteronomy 33:26-29; Matthew 15:21-28; Psalm 30
Sermon Text: Ephesians 3:1-21
God has revealed to us a mystery that the Old Testament believers and even the angels in heaven longed to understand—this mystery is that in Christ God has saved all people. The devil is working hard to obscure this mystery again. This is why we need to pray for each other that we might understand the awesome nature of God’s love, that we might better grasp the fact that God’s love for each one of us is absolutely sure.

October 5th—Called To Work Together 
Scriptures: Numbers 11:16-17,24-29; Matthew 9:35-10:4; Psalm 89
Sermon Text: Ephesians 4:1-16
God has brought together into his Church very different people. We need to see that this was part of God’s plan. Because of our diversity there is so much more we can do together. Every one of us is an important part of the church. God calls us to keep working to live together as one. His purpose: to build up the body of Christ

October 12th—Called To Imitate God

Scriptures: Isaiah 58:5-9a; Matthew 5:13-17; Psalm 51b 
Sermon Text: Ephesians 4:17-5:20
Paul insists with great vehemence that our faith in Christ must change our thinking. He describes the change that the Spirit makes in our hearts and lives as a complete makeover. And yet, we still struggle with the sinful nature inside. Even though Paul wrote to address the spiritual weaknesses of the people of his day, we quickly see that these are the same vices that plague our hearts today.

October 19th—Called to Submit to One Another

Scriptures: Genesis 13:1-12; Mathew 20:20-28; Psalm 34 
Sermon Text: Ephesians 5:21-6:9
God calls us to submit to each other out of our reverence for Christ, that is to put other's needs/well-being before our own, supporting them in whatever position they may serve in life. This submission takes on many different forms in our lives, but it always flows from Christ’s love for us

October 26th—A Call to Arms

Scriptures: Zechariah 3:1-5; Matthew 4:1-11, Psalm 124 
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:10-20 
The more we understand who we are, the more we realize who we are together, the more we are encouraged to live our faith in our lives, the more the devil will attack and seek to derail us in our faith. And so, God calls us to arms, to take up the one weapon that infallibly defend us.