Sermons From Ephesians - Executable Outlines
Sermons From Ephesians - Executable Outlines
Sermons From Ephesians - Executable Outlines
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Mark A. Copeland<br />
INTRODUCTION<br />
Walking Together In Unity<br />
<strong>Ephesians</strong> 4:1-16<br />
1. For three chapters, Paul has dealt with “doctrine” in which he has described both:<br />
a. Our spiritual “possessions ” in Christ (1)<br />
b. Our spiritual “position” in Christ (2,3)<br />
2. In the remaining three chapters of this epistle, Paul will focus on “duty”, i.e., responsibilities that are<br />
ours because of the blessings we enjoy as described in the previous chapters<br />
3. Of the blessings described, one upon which Paul elaborated is the “unity” that we have in Christ<br />
by virtue of His work on the cross...<br />
a. He has reconciled both Jew and Gentile to God in “one body” - Ep 2:14-16<br />
b. Now, Gentiles can be fellow heirs, of the “same body” - Ep 3:6<br />
4. It should not be surprising, then, that the first duty that Paul exhorts us to fulfill is “to keep the<br />
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” - Ep 4:3<br />
a. Christ “attained” this unity by His work on the cross<br />
b. Our task is to “maintain” it<br />
[Beginning, then, with a charge to “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ep<br />
4:1), Paul describes how to have a “worthy walk”, and that is by displaying...]<br />
I. THE “ATTITUDES” FOR MAINTAINING UNITY (1-3)<br />
A. LOWLINESS...<br />
1. This word means:<br />
a. The having a humble opinion of one’s self<br />
b. A deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness<br />
c. Modesty, humility, lowliness of mind<br />
2. This virtue is necessary in order in order to properly value others around you - cf. Ph 2:3-4<br />
3. Without this virtue, members in the body begin trying to be the “head” of the body, a role<br />
reserved only for Christ<br />
B. GENTLENESS...<br />
1. This word can be translated as gentleness, mildness, meekness<br />
2. It is not a quality of weakness, but of power under control<br />
a. Moses was a meek man (Num 12:3), but capable of great strength and boldness<br />
b. Jesus was “meek and lowly in heart” (Mt 11:29), but we see where He drove the<br />
money changers out of the temple<br />
3. Thus it is being gentle, even when there is the potential for being harsh, but gentleness is<br />
more conducive for maintaining unity<br />
<strong>Sermons</strong> <strong>From</strong> <strong>Ephesians</strong> 43
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