Ephesians 4:17-19

The Downward Spiral – NEBISCOS – Living in Impurity

• Negative Volition Rom. 1:18-19 – The Gentile Walk
• Emptiness of soul Rom. 1:20-21a – The Futile Mind
• Blackout of soul Rom. 1:21b –         The Darkened Understanding
• Induced Ignorance Rom. 1:22 – The Ignorance of God
• Separation from God Rom. 1:23 – The Alienation from God
• Calloused soul Rom. 1:24-27 – The Numb life
• Occupied with evil Rom. 1:28-31 – The Unclean Licentious life
• Sin Unto Death Rom. 1:32 – The Death March

SO WHAT?

• God will permit people to go their own way. He is still sovereign, in control of history and life and the Holder of all good things, waiting to pour our blessings and rewards.
• The unbeliever can be sovereign over his life now, but the ultimate destiny is still in God’s hands. The unbeliever can defy God now, but not eternity.
• God wants you and me to understand that the way of man is the downward spiral.

 NOW WHAT?

• If you trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior, your destiny is heaven!!!
• Be ready to give an account of the abundant blessings Jesus is and does in your life. You can be down in the mouth, down in the heart, down in actions, but why pull others down, when you have victory positionally in Christ and experientially can experience that victory. You are royalty.
• Build a bridge to unbelievers, because their destiny is horrible. Be God’s instrument of blessing, because you will be blessed beyond what you can imagine.

Matt 5:13; Matt 26:69-74; Mar 9:50; John 6:66; Act 15:1-41; 2 Pet 2:20-21; Heb 10:26-29; Luke 9:62; 1 Cor. 5:1-8; 1 Cor 10:1-3; 1 Cor. 14:1-40; 2 Cor. 12:20-21; Gal 1:6; Gal. 3:1-3; Gal 4:9-11; Gal 5:7; Gal 6:1; Mal 3:7; 1 Tim. 1:19; 1 Tim 4:1; 1 Tim. 5:15; 2 Tim. 4:10; Heb 5:11; Heb 6:4-8; Jam 4:8, 17; Rev 2:4-5; Rev 3:2-3

Grow to Oneness – Part 2

Ephesians 4:7-16

1. Jesus has the right to establish growth in the church 4:7-10

• • Jesus gave us grace – according to His measure 4:7
  • He ascended on high with the spoils of victory 4:8
  • He first descended to Tartarus 4:9
  • He ascended above the heavens 4:10

2. Jesus sovereignly gives communication gifts to equip His church for ministry 4:11-13

 Those gifts are for teaching and for equipping saints for ministry 11-12

• Some received communication gifts 4:11
• Those gifts are for equipping and for edifying the body of Christ 4:12
• Those gifts function until we come to the unity of faith 4:13
• Unity of faith and knowledge of God
• To a perfect man – 2 Tim. 3:17
• To the measure of stature of the fullness of Christ Col. 2:9-10
  
  3. Jesus wants His church to grow up for the growth of the church 4:14-16

 Ephesians were spiritual children Eph. 4:14a  Four stages of spiritual growth

• • Spiritual infant – 1 Thes 2:6-8
  • Spiritual child – 1 Thes 2:9-12
  • Spiritual Youth -1 Jn 2:13-14
  • Spiritual Parent – 1 Jn 2:12-14
• They were acting like children 4:14b
• They were speaking like children 415-16
• Speaking 1) the truth 2) in love 4:15; 4:29; 1 Cor. 13:4-7
• They needed to be concerned about the body.
• Each part does it share to causes growth 1 Pet 2:1-2; 2 Pet 3:18

SO WHAT?

• Jesus wants us to grow up to His fullness for unity of faith and unity of service
• Jesus wants us to grow up in His giving love Jn 13:34-35; 15:10; 1 Jn 2:6; 1 Jn 4:19

NOW WHAT?

• Examine every room of your soul – the kitchen – where you eat manna; living room – where you fellowship with believers and reach out in discipleship to others; bedroom – as you rest in the Lord; bathroom – where you confess your sins and cleanse your life.
• Learn what to tolerate and not to tolerate in holiness and truth for unity of faith and work of ministry.
• Become a “joint” (discipler) that encourages, inspires and holds together the body of Christ.

Ephesians 2:14-16

1. Jesus is our peace – keeps on being
   1. He made two into one
   2. He broke down the middle wall of separation
   3. He abolished the enmity
   4. He reconciled the two groups to one
2. Jesus preached peace to Gentiles and Jews 2:17-18

   1. What is peace?
   2. We want peace – God wants you to have peace!
   a. Phil 4:6-7
   b. Num 6:26
   c. Job 22:2
   d. Ps 29:11
   e. Is 26:3
   f. John 14:27
   g.Job 34:29; Ps. 85:8; Is 26:12; Is 45:7; 48;18, 22; Is. 55:11-12; Is. 57:19-21; Jer. 33:6; Luke 1:79; Luke 2:14; John 16:33

   3. Every Christian has peace
   a. He s our peace Eph. 2:14
   b We have peace with God Rom. 5:1
   c. When I am filled with the Spirit, I will have Holy Spirit peace Gal. 5:22
   d. He will fill you with peace Rom. 15:13
   e. His presence is our peace 2 Thes.3:16; Heb 13:20-21; Rev 1:4

   4. How do we have peace?
   a. Mind set on the Spirit is life and peace Rom. 8:
   b. Live in the Kingdom of God Rom. 14:1
   c. Meditate on His love Eph. 3:19
   d. Let Him rule in your heart Col. 3:15

   5. You are like Jesus when you mediate peace
   a The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Phi 4:9
   b. Those in the military and police may have to crush evil Rom. 16:20
   c. Live in peace with others 2 Cor. 13:11
   d. Become a joint Eph. 4:15-16
   e. Mediate in the ministry of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5:18-20
   f. Mediate and you’ll establish peace Job 9:33; Job 33:23; Is. 43:27; Gal. 3:19-20; 1 Tim. 2:4-5; Heb 8:6; Heb 9:15; Heb 12:24

SO WHAT?

• You have PEACE with God through Jesus.
• No one, no thing, and no circumstance can take that PEACE from you.
• Because of the Lord Jesus, in spiritual maturity, you become the overflow of
• PEACE around you.

NOW WHAT?

• You’ll have to let the  PEACE rule to live His peace. Woman, who humbled herself before Jesus.
• Consider every source of tension – you can maintain peace because of His PEACE
• What steps do you need to take in order to complete the work of PEACE with others around you?

EPHESIANS 1
Blessed by God to His praise that we might live his power for victory

EPHESIANS 2
From wrath to Grace, Christians are united in peace by our Cornerstone

EPHESIANS 3
God revealed mysteries of His grace and purpose to know His goodness and love

EPHESIANS 4
Walk worthy in oneness growing to oneness putting off and putting on Christ

EPHESIANS 5
Imitate God walking love, light and wisdom discipling marriages to reveal Christ

EPHESIANS 6
Disciple families and workers to Christ with spiritual armor in the angelic conflict