What Will We Be in 2003?
Ps. 90:12; intro to Ephesians
Focus: At the beginning of a new year, we must be reminded of our purpose as a church to
not become distracted- much of what Paul does to encourage the church in Ephesians.
Function: To encourage the Washington St. church as Paul does the Ephesians by
reminding us who we are and what we are to be doing.
Opener: I hope everyone had a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year! We had a great time with our family over the holidays. Christmas is especially fun when its your kid’s first Christmas! This year the whole family gathered around David (as we propped him up on some pillows) to see what he would do with the presents. He loved the ribbons & bows & boxes, but really didn’t do much with the presents. At 5 months old, he’s getting really good at sitting up UNLESS he gets distracted! Then, its over he goes! With a big brother around, there’s always something to distract you!
Distractions are all around us all the time, aren’t they?
• How many of you have blown that 2 yard put because we became
distracted?
• Sometimes distractions can be just a little annoying . . . a child
whining at you while you’re trying to talk to someone on the phone.
• Sometimes distractions can cause you to lose a round of golf; or the
basketball game;
• But sometimes distractions can be downright dangerous! Last
summer Congress took up legislation to discourage the use of cell
phones while driving. I don’t know if more laws are the answer, but I
know of one research report out of Great Britain has shown that
drivers are four times more likely to be distracted while driving if they
are talking on their mobile phones.
I bring up “Distractions” today because of where we are as a church family.
• It has been a wonderful 2002 for Washington St! If you were here on
Wed. Walter mentioned just a few of the many blessings that God has
given us over the past year.
• God is truly at work and doing amazing things!
• I said as I began preaching here just last December, that I believed
God had big plans for the future for this church family and I believe
that we’re beginning to see some of those plans come about. . . . and
that’s what worries me!
• I am concerned that we might allow various “distractions” to take our
eyes off of our focus . . Seeking, Serving and Sharing Jesus Christ!
There are positive distractions . . .
• As we move into 2003, there are many questions still ahead of us.
“How much is this new building going to cost?”; “What will be
expected of me?”; “How will we use this facility?”
• The danger with ANY building program can be that it has the potential
to consume all of our energies and focus as a church – and I’m so
glad that the Elders are committed to NOT let that happen here!
• We NEED this building; It IS a PRIORITY! We’re excited about it and
are just thrilled at the progress that the Finance Committee is making
– it will be a great tool for this church’s mission, BUT we’re committed
that it NOT become the ONLY goal or focus.
• So, as we talk more and more about the building in the coming
months- let us remember not to let this consume our every thought
and hinder us from the work of ministry!
There are Negative Distractions . . .
• I know, because I’ve seen it happen, that when a church is on fire for
the Lord and about the business of the kingdom, SATAN doesn’t like
it! And you can bet that he’ll begin attacking!
• I expect Satan to attack this church in the coming months; as he
always does when God’s people are about God’s business!
• But we can’t allow this to take our eyes off of what it is we are to be
about as God’s church!
So, as we begin 2003, I want us to ask 5 very important questions to help us
maintain our focus . . .
I. Will we be anchored in God’s Word?
A. When I began my ministry here last December I began
preaching through the book of John, because I not only
wanted to anchor my ministry in the life & teachings of Jesus
from the very beginning– I also wanted to anchor it firmly and
deeply in God’s Word!
1. Folks, I’m not smart enough to stand before you
each week and give you spiritual direction or
ANYTHING ELSE for that matter that might be
useful . . . from myself!
2. I very much see my role as opening the text; helping
us explore its meaning together and finally coming
to some kind of conclusion about what that means
to my life & yours.
3. God has given us everything we need for life &
godliness, Peter tells us in 2 Pet 1:3. We find that
in His Word!
B. That’s why I want us to begin 2003 in a similar fashion, this
time in the book of Ephesians.
1. The book of Ephesians seeks to answer the two
most important questions we could ask: (1) Who are
We? (2) What are we to do about it?
C. Ephesians is the Word of God and is one of the most
compelling, spiritually challenging and important books for
the church in all of Scripture!
Eph 1:1-2
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus,
the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)
1. In this standard greeting of 1st century letters, we
see that Paul is very clearly the writer -the same
Paul who had at one time dedicated his life to
eradicating Christianity (& Christians themselves!)
But on that Damascus road in Acts 9 had an
experience that forever changed his life!
2. NOW he is an apostle not by his own choice, but by
the will of God- a point he’ll continue making!
3. By the time he writes this letter, he is in prison
suffering for the cause of Christ, he tells us in Chpt.
3! Scholars aren’t certain when he wrote it,
because he spent so much time in jail! If it was
when he was in jail in Ephesus- probably @ 55AD.
If it was when he was imprisoned in Caesarea- @
58 AD. If it was his Roman imprisonment- @60 AD.
We don’t know.
4. But in that we can get a sense of the determination
that Paul had in his ministry to spread the gospel.
D. No other book in the N.T. provides more insightful thinking
on the N.T. church as a whole.
1. Paul discusses the imagery of the church as a body,
a temple, a family, – images which combine to
stress interrelatedness, belonging, connection,
fellowship!
2. This is a message we need so much! Our world
today is SO fractured by racism, individualism. The
religious world is fragmented by denominationalism.
EVEN within churches of Christ there are bitter
divisions– some churches not fellowshiping other
churches, some actively working against others.
3. BUT Ephesians holds up another model! One that
destroys sectarianism & division! It tells of God’s
providing a wholeness that binds us together as
believers!
E. Folks, if you’re not plugged into the power source there’s no
wonder you may be feeling spiritually dry or empty this
morning! If you’re not spending a few moments each day in
God’s Word, you’re not receiving or hearing from God! How
can you have a meaningful relationship with God if you never
allow him to speak to you?
1. This New Year is a good time to ask yourself and
re-evaluate the question- is MY life anchored in
God’s Word? Do I look to it for direction? For
inspiration? For instruction?
2. We’re going to spend the next few weeks going
through this book together . . . once again anchoring
everything we do here as a church and as individual
Christians in a textual study of the Word of God!
II. Will we live lives that reflect Jesus to others?
A. Paul talks more about Grace than any other NT writer-
1. Paul knows that it is by Grace that he has been
saved, not by works, BUT Paul also says that a life
saved by Grace is a life that is forever CHANGED!
2. Ephesians demonstrates that change!
Eph 5:1-8
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of
love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,
or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy
people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out
of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure
or greedy person-- such a man is an idolater-- has any inheritance in the kingdom of
Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of
such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be
partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light.
B. Nowhere in the Bible is CONVERSION so clearly described
as here! Not so much its process . . . but its RESULT!
1. Paul repeatedly contrasts one’s former way of life
vs. life in Christ! Life “in Christ” is different from life
“in the world”!!
2. Sadly, the lives of many Christians is no different
than the lives of non-Christians!
3. I wonder, are we really all that different from the
world around us? In the music we listen to? In the
television shows we watch? In the way that we
dress? In the way that we spend our money? In
the organizations that we belong to?
4. Do people see us and know right away that there’s
something different about us . . .that we’re
Christians?
5. THAT’S the call that Ephesians is beckoning us to!
6. Vs. 8 is the crux of the matter! “You’re children of
God, so live like it!”
III. Will we demonstrate our Unity to the community?
A. Ephesians puts a great deal of emphasis on UNITY.
Eph 4:3-6
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4
There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were
called-- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all. (NIV)
1. Notice, Paul says the same thing in 1 Cor. 12 to
make the case for Unity! It’s a favorite theme.
2. We are to MAKE EVERY EFFORT to keep the unity
of the Spirit!
3. Notice, that unity exists whether we recognize it or
not, because it is unity of the Spirit!
4. There is ONE body- whether we want to admit it or
not just as there is ONE Spirit, one Lord, one faith
and one baptism!
B. John tells us that the demonstration of the disciples’ unity will
testify to the world of who Jesus is!
1. I wonder what Fayetteville & Lincoln County think of
God by observing us? ..our unity.. Our love for one
another?
C. This is made even more complicated by the view of some
scholars that Ephesians was intended for a much wider
audience than JUST the church at Ephesus. There are
several reasons why they think that . .
1. One, Paul would have been very familiar with the
church at Ephesus. According to Acts, he spent
more than two years there and knew the people
well. Yet, this letter doesn’t have quite the personal
tone that Paul’s letter to the Philippians does.
2. So, most scholars believe it was a circular letter–
that is, to be circulated among many of the different
congregations including Ephesus, which is why its
name is in the greeting.
3. In other words, it wasn’t meant JUST for one
congregation, but was intended for the church as a
whole. I believe we’ll see that in its message.
4. I say all of that to say this: unlike the Corinthian
letters where Paul seems to be addressing
particular problems in that particular congregation–
Ephesians is more general . . . having in mind the
universal church!.
D. The church universal is essentially ONE! And we are to
“make every effort” to maintain that “oneness”!!
1. The church is made up of every saved individual
regardless of what congregation of the church they
attend!
2. Its NOT my job to draw lines; to determine who is in
and who is out;
3. It IS my job to preach & teach people the truth of the
gospel AND to “make every effort” to demonstrate
the unity that is ours thru the Spirit!
E. What does Fayetteville/ Lincoln County think of God by
observing the way in which the more than a dozen churches
of Christ demonstrate that Spirit-Unity?
IV. Will we not just talk about worship, but do it?
A. We spent most of this past fall talking about the subject of
Worship; perhaps THE most important thing we do as a
church family!
1. The book of Ephesians doesn’t say a lot about
worship or prayer, but notice this: the book if filled
with both!
2. A good deal of Ephesians IS worship & prayer! For
Ex. 1st chapter is entirely praise & prayer.
3. Many scholars believe that other large chunks of the
letter were traditional hymns or prayers that Paul
took in to his writing.
4. While not discussing the subjects per se; Ephesians
teaches us a great deal about how to worship and
how to pray.
B. That prompts me to think; its one thing to talk about it; quite
another to do it.
1. After talking about it for so long, has it made a
difference in the way YOU worship?
2. Will this church be a praying church in 2003? Or
were those little prayer calendars we distributed
simply a ‘neat idea’? A cute gimmick?
3. Will we seek the Lord’s guidance & will in what
faces us in the coming year? In our building
project? In our families? In the opportunities that
he affords us?
4. Will this church be a worshiping church in 2003?
Or will we just talk about it some more?
5. Will we openly & honestly come before the Lord
each week in truth & Spirit and offer our praise &
adoration to God for who he is & what he has done?
6. Will YOU?
V. Will we be actively focused on reaching the lost?
A. In Eph., Paul very clearly communicates his mission as an
apostle of Christ Jesus.
Eph 3:7-9
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me
through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s
people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of
Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for
ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. (NIV)
1. Paul was a servant; a servant tasked with the
mission to take the gospel out into the world . . To
“make plain to everyone” the mystery of what God
had done!
2. This wasn’t a task that he was guilted into . . . or
forced into; RATHER he considered it a “gift of
God’s grace” to be able to spread this message!
B. Is THAT how WE see evangelism? As a gift of God’s grace?
1. Most sermons I’ve heard on trying to get Christians
to be more evangelistic have tended to heap guilt
upon me for not doing more; they’ve tended to
pressure me into signing up for some kind of door-
knocking campaign, etc.
2. NOT Paul! He says simply it is a gift!
3. The opportunities we have to share the gospel are
God’s gift of grace to us! It is a great privilege and
honor to share Christ with someone . . . not a chore
or task to be dutifully but reluctantly carried out!
C. Ephesians has the potential to change the way we think of
evangelism in the church!
Conclusion: In short, Ephesians tells us how to be the church!
• That’s perfect as we begin a new year!
• What will we be in 2003? It is my hope that we will seek to emulate
the church that Paul talks about in Ephesians!
What will YOU be in 2003?
• Ephesians also reminds us of what it means to be a Christian . . .
someone who has made a change from the way we USED to be.
• It tells us how to be good wives & good husbands; good children and
better parents.
• It holds SO much for ALL of us! I’m looking forward to this study and
hope that you’ll take every opportunity (not only to be here with us
each week) but to bring someone with you.
Knowing Jesus makes a difference in how we live our lives. . . .
• Has he made a difference in your life? Have you ever committed
your whole life to him?
• if not- let us encourage you to do so this morning.
• if you ARE a Christian but have been convicted that some things in
your life need to change . . . make that right with God this a.m.!
