GOD'S PLEASURE Ephesians Pastor Dennis Clanton

---

GOD’S PLEASURE Ephesians Pastor Dennis Clanton Woodland Church Sunday, August 19, 2018

“This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” (Ephesians 1:1–5)

1. REMEMBER GOD. “I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 1:1) a. I am loved by God. “God loved us…” b. I am chosen. “God…chose us in Christ…” c. I am saved. to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” (Ephesians 1:4) 2. REMEMBER YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10) “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3)

a. I am empowered by faith in God. “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 1:19–20) b. I have been given authority in Christ. “For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6) “God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 3:10) c. I am equipped. “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:10–12)

GROWTHWORK LIVE IN THE SPIRIT a. Live united in the Spirit. (4:1-16) “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)

b. Live in purity. (4:17-32) “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes … be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:23, 32) c. Live in love. (5:1-6) “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” (Ephesians 5:2) d. Live in light. (5:7-14) “Live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.” (Ephesians 5:8–9) e. Live wisely. (5:15-17) “Be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.” (Ephesians 5:15) f. Live thankfully. (5:18-20) “Make music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God…” (Ephesians 5:19-20) g. Live in submission to the Lord. (5:18-6:9) “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21) h. Then you will live in victory. (6:10-24) “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” (Ephesians 6:13)

www.woodland.church.com