Sharing What We Have Received - SERMON NOTES

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.

Intro: (1) Ephesians recap (2) ch.1-3 vs. ch.4-6 -- reflected in closing (3) example of finances

Encouragement (Tychicus)

• His background: (1) Acts 20:4 (2) likely convert in Ephesus (cf. riot) (3) with Paul on journeys (cf. 2 Cor. 11:25-27) (4) 2 Tim. 4:12 -- likely with Paul through his arrest, trials, imprisonment (5) likely dictation of letter (6) encouragement of shared experiences, names (cf. Marshall)
• His brotherhood: (1) “brother” -- God’s people as family (2) “beloved” -- best indicator of God’s presence is love for one another (cf. 1 Cor. 13, John 13:34-35) (3) charged to share how Paul was doing (4) encouraging by knowing what is going on with each other (cf. Randy)
•  His ministry: (1) delivering letter -- importance of truth (2) “will tell you everything” -- importance of conversation (3) personal presence -- he is being sent (4) willingness to NOT be Paul (5) encouraging by being ourselves in relational contexts (cf. elder meetings)

Peace: (1) peace only found in the gospel (cf. 6:15) (2) peace with God (Rom. 5:1), peace from God (John 14:27), peace with others (cf. 2:14-15) (4) incapable of producing our own peace (cf. mouse at retreat)

Love: (1) expressed over a dozen times in Ephesians (2) 1:15-16 -- emphasis on ALL the saints (some easier than others) (3) grounded in gospel (cf. Rom. 5:5, 1 John 4:19) (4) little sister on St. Patrick’s Day

Faith: (1) saving faith and day-to-day faith -- requires an object, trust-based response (2) grounded in what we believe about God and ourselves (3) faith brings rest -- putting full weight down in plane

Grace: (1) first/last thought of the letter (2) 2:8-9 -- grounds us in God’s works, not our own (cf. point system to get in to heaven) (3) the foundation for growing love for Christ

Conclusion: (1) asking which one we need and which one we can give (2) ending with focus on eternity