Alive with Christ – Part 7 - The Grace Message

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Alive with Christ – Part 7

Discovering Our Spiritual Riches in Ephesians

March 3, 2024

What does it mean to be “imitators of God”? Ephesians 5 not only ventures deep into this question but also demystifies the idea of living authentically, as opposed to putting on an act.

Imagine being sinful at the core and then being asked by God to embrace holy living. Here’s a revelation: You’re not inherently flawed, striving to mask your true self with goodness. Instead, at your very core, you contain the light of Jesus, and now, God’s call is for you to walk as a child of the Light.

I invite you to delve into this message as it will challenge your perspective on living a life that vividly manifests the light of Christ. Watch now and discover the essence of authentic living from the heart.

Discussion Questions for Ephesians 5:1-18:

1. What does it mean to be an “imitator of God”? How is this not faking it?

2. Read verses 2-4. What are the two motivations here for upright living?

3. Read verses 5-8 and react to this summary: “You’re no longer them, so don’t act like them.”

4. Read verses 9-10. What does “the fruit of the Light” mean? What is pleasing to the Lord?

5. React to this statement: Sin is disgraceful, unwise, and doesn’t make the most of your time.

6. Read verse 17. What is “the will of the Lord”? Can we know it?

7. Read verse 18. What does it mean to be “filled with the Spirit”? How does Ephesians 3:19 help us here?

Alive with Christ – Part 9

March 17, 2024

In this final installment of our “Alive with Christ” series, we dive into Ephesians 6, the final chapter of this power-packed letter. In this message, we’ll discover why Paul is quoting the Law and how it aligns with our freedom. We’ll see the true nature of God’s discipline and how it does not provoke us to anger, the essence of praying in the Spirit, our incorruptible love for Jesus, and the power of God’s armor and its implications in our daily lives. Get ready to be encouraged and uplifted by this transformative message that will inspire you to live victoriously in Christ! Discussion Questions for Ephesians 6: 1. Why does Paul quote the Law in Ephesians 6:1-3? Does this challenge our freedom from the Law? Why or why not? 2. Read verse 4 and react to this statement: God’s discipline does not provoke us to anger. 3. What do verses 5 and 6 insinuate about the heart? 4. What does “receive back” mean in verse 8? 5. Read verses 10-17. What is the armor of God? How do we put it on? 6. Read verse 18. What does it mean to “pray in the Spirit”? 7. React to this statement: Paul says to always pray in the Spirit, so it can’t be about tongues. 8. Read verse 24 and react to this statement: I have an incorruptible love for Jesus.

Alive with Christ – Part 8

March 10, 2024

I invite you to dive into a radical, counter-cultural look at marriage. Together, we’ll uncover the heart of God and His divine design for marital union. Brace yourself for eye-opening insights as we unpack why marriage is so painful and difficult at times and what choices we can make to “give up our rights” and release our spouse, canceling their debt. This message isn’t just for husbands or wives—it’s for everyone seeking a deeper understanding of the transformative power of Christ in relationships. Watch now, and don’t miss these truths that will challenge your whole perspective on life! Discussion Questions for Ephesians 5:18-33: 1. Read verse 21. How was this idea radical and counter-cultural in its day? How about today? 2. Read verses 22-24. How could this be a challenging (even alarming) passage for wives? How does the context of verse 21 reveal God’s heart in the matter? 3. Read verse 25. How does “gave Himself up for her” relate to a husband’s treatment of his wife? Give examples. How does this not mean “be a doormat”? 4. Read verses 26-27. What is God’s view of the church? And God’s view of you? 5. Read verses 28-29. Consider all the ways we respect and care for our own bodies. Now relate those to a husband’s treatment of his wife. What is God trying to tell us? 6. Read verses 31-32. What exactly is the great mystery? (Notice the expressions “leave” and “join” and “one flesh.”) How does this mystery impact you personally?

Alive with Christ – Part 6

February 25, 2024

I invite you to join me as we continue our “Alive with Christ” series, diving into the rich truths of Ephesians 4. In this message, we’ll explore the description of the unbeliever and uncover the root cause behind their state of futility, darkness, and ignorance. Through the analogy of an electrical outlet, you’ll also gain insight and understanding into your new identity in Christ and why you don’t need to put off your old self daily. Additionally, we’ll delve into the importance of not letting anger linger and preventing the enemy from gaining a foothold in our lives. We’ll also explore the profound concept of forgiveness as a choice and what it looks like in our daily lives. I encourage you to listen to this message and be inspired by the life-changing truths of living in Christ. Let’s embrace the transformative power of knowing our true identity in Him! Discussion Questions for Ephesians 4:17-32: 1. Read verses 17-19. How do words like futility, darkened, excluded, ignorance, hardness, and callous describe the unbeliever? What is the main cause of this? (Hint: Consider the electrical outlet analogy.) 2. Read verses 20-24. Why is it important to read these five verses as one big thought? Is it really saying we need to put off our old self daily? If not, what does it mean? (Make sure to cross-reference Colossians 3:9-10.) 3. What does verse 24 say about you as the new self? What does this mean to you personally? 4. Read verse 25. How does belonging to one another relate to lying? 5. How does “letting the sun go down on your anger” give the devil an opportunity? What’s the solution? Be sure to discuss what “forgiveness as a choice” really looks like. 6. Read verses 29-30. How does verse 29 give us insight into what it means to grieve the Spirit? 7. Read verse 32. In what way is this the opposite of what we see in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:14-15)? How do we resolve the discrepancy? (Hint: Consider the cross as the dividing line of human history and the purpose of the Sermon on the Mount.)