Ephesians
In Christ | 1
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 6th February, 2022
Passage: Ephesians 1:1-14
Blurb: Here we begin a new series on Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Paul launches into a 201 word sentence that's full of praise and rich in detail. In this sermon we explore the what it is to be blessed in the heavenly realms and we delve into the meaning of what it is to be "in Christ". This series also coincides with a period at church where we will be exploring vision. Come and explore Paul's vision for the church in Ephesus.
Resurrection Power | 2
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 13th February, 2022
Passage: Ephesians 1:15-23
Blurb: While in prison, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, writes a profound prayer for the Ephesians. In this sermon we delve into the prayer, and particularly explore what it is to know "his incomparably great power for us who believe." We explore God's resurrection power, remembering that in the Christian life God's power is known in human weakness. What might it look like for us to know God's power more in our lives?
One New Humanity in Christ | 3
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 27th February, 2022
Passage: Ephesians 2:11-3:22
Blurb: God is in the business of breaking down divisions and when it comes to Jesus, everyone is in the same boat. There are no longer Jews and Gentiles, or any kind of barriers that divide people. Salvation is the same for everyone, for we all need the forgiveness of sins. In this sermon Kim climbs up a ladder (see photo) to illustrate how when we experience conflict or division, we need to remember who we are in Christ (seated with him in the heavenly realms), so that our life on earth might resemble who we are in him.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:6-7
Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians | 4
Preacher: David Law
Date: 6th March, 2022
Passage: Ephesians 3:14-21
Blurb: In this sermon David Law preaches on a beautiful and profound prayer about knowing how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Come join us as we explore an encouraging prayer, and consider what it means for us as we explore where God is leading us in the future.
Unity, Maturity & the Body | 5
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 13th March, 2022
Passage: Ephesians 4:1-16
Blurb: Chapter 4 marks a turning point in Paul's letter to the Ephesians. The first three chapters are about who we are in Christ. Now Paul moves into application, and focuses on the themes of unity, diversity in the body, and what it is to grow into maturity together.
Put on the New Self | 6
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 20th March, 2022
Passage: Ephesians 4:17-32
Blurb: We are a new humanity in Jesus, but we still wrestle with the old self. This is a sermon about clothing. We need to take off the old self, and put on the new self. As we do so, God transforms our minds and helps us to do his will. Come join us as we explore what this means in our lives.
Bringing Our Darkness Into the Light | 7
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 27th March, 2022
Passage: Ephesians 5:1-20
Blurb: One of the great gifts in the Christian life is friendship. In this sermon we explore what it looks like to have the kind of friendships where we are able to help one another with the darkness we each face. We discover that as well as confessing our sins to God, there is a God-given power in bringing our darkness into light in the presence of a brother or sister in Christ who will pray for us. We'll hear some quotes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's classic book Life Together, and discover that when we confess our sins, our darkness can actually become light!
Submit To One Another In Love | 8
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 3rd April, 2022
Passage: Ephesians 5:21-6:9
Blurb: This week we unpack a text that has often been misconstrued. We recommend having a read of the passage before listening to the sermon. Paul has been teaching the church that in Christ we are a new humanity, but how does that play out in our day-to-day relationships? Here we explore the theme of mutual submission, and in particular, we unpack Paul's teaching on marriage. He addresses wives and husbands, children and parents, slaves and masters in their first century context. We see how the gospel is the central story upon which we are to shape our lives, emulating Christ in all our relationships.
The Battle | 9
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 10th April, 2022
Passage: Ephesians 6:10-24
Blurb: We are all in a great battle, yet who and what are we actually fighting? And what does it mean to win the battle? It's possible to get drawn into all kinds of conflicts with other people, but Paul redirects our focus and helps us see the battle with a much bigger perspective. In this sermon we unpack the spiritual realities of the battle, delving into the nature of the evil one, and to the role of the powers both in the earth and in the heavenly realms. Ultimately our victory is in Christ, and our purpose it is to stand firm in Him.
With this sermon we finish our series on Ephesians. We trust it has opened the way for understanding the letter as a whole, and has been a helpful introduction to this beautiful, inspired and profound letter.