Ephesians
Sermon Series
Winning The War
May 26, 2024 • Jonathan Pokluda
We are in a real war, and if we don’t realize it, then we are losing. Once we learn to watch for it, we begin to see it. Once we see it, we can’t unsee it. Paul writes in Ephesians 6 everything we need to know to resist temptation when the enemy attacks. Stand strong against Satan’s schemes Stand firm and suited up Stay praying in The Spirit and share Life Group Discussion: Do you recognize when the enemy attacks? Why is it important to stay on guard? What is a moment you stood strong against the enemy? What is a moment you failed, but you felt the grace of Jesus that he’s already won the battle?
The Call to Discipleship
May 19, 2024 • John Elmore
Let your life be a life of worship as you obey your parents, guide your children, and work in the role God has placed you in. Live a life of worshipping Jesus in your home and at your workplace. Children: Honor and Obey Dads: Discipline and Disciple Workers: Worship Life Group Discussion: How old should children be to continue to obey their parents? What areas in your life do you model well for your children? What areas do you struggle with? Do you feel like your work is a place that you can “worship” unto the Lord? If not, how can you make it a place you can worship while you work?
The Truth About Marriage
May 12, 2024 • Jonathan Pokluda
A marriage cannot be happy or healthy without Christ at the center of it. In this message, Jonathan Pokluda teaches us that (1) the mindset of marriage must be sacrifice and submission, (2) the mission of marriage is sanctification through service, and (3) the mystery of marriage is that it showcases our savior.
Stop Sleepwalking
May 5, 2024 • John Elmore
Paul reminds us in today’s text the antidote to spiritually sleepwalking is to walk in love, walk in the light, and walk in wisdom. 1. Walk in Love 2. Walk in Light 3. Walk in Wisdom Life Group Discussion: What have you put behind you and fully surrendered to walk in love? When someone brings sin into the light? How should you respond? What do you daily allow to fill your heart? What influences your flesh?
Anger and Forgiveness
April 28, 2024 • Nate Hilgenkamp
To live a Christian life, we have to imitate Christ. One place where some struggle is with forgiveness of others who have committed a wrong against them. Rather than holding grudges, quiet judgment, and anger in our hearts, we are called to forgive in the same way that Jesus forgave us. God deeply cares about how we are able to forgive others and let go of our anger. Life Group Questions: Are there any unresolved conflicts or feelings of resentment towards others in your life? How can you take the first step towards resolution? How does our anger towards others often reveal other sin within us?
A Changed Life
April 21, 2024 • Jonathan Pokluda
Change begins in you thinking …thoughts take you places. When you become a Christian, you are learning a new way to live, different than the world. The true test of a changed person is what comes out of them when they are squeezed. The true test is in trials. Thoughts take you places You are learning a new way The true test comes in trials Life Group Discussion: What are you allowing in your thoughts? Share what you fed your brain this week. What do you need to let go of? What are you going to start doing to help fill your heart with the things of God? What comes out of you when you are squeezed by life? Begin to uncover what is stored in your heart. How would your life look different if you took this step?
Mature Christians and Unity
April 14, 2024 • Jonathan Pokluda
The disposition of a mature Christian comes from a unified doctrine. The deployment of mature Christians leads to unified service. The development of mature Christians makes up a unified church. A mature Christian’s disposition A mature Christian’s deployment A mature Christian’s development Life Group Discussion: Who do you know that is clearly marked with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and gentleness? What makes you say that? Would someone think about you? Where have you been deployed in the body to use your gifts? If you haven’t deployed your gifts, ask your LG how they see God using you in the body. Are you in a season where you are a weak part of the body? Share with your LG and let them pray for you during this difficult season. Take a step forward in growing your faith. Don’t just “go” to church, but “be” the church.
The Power of God
April 7, 2024 • Nate Hilgenkamp
Paul prays that the church in Ephesians would be filled with the power of God. While we try to fill our lives with many things, we were only meant to run on the power of God! 1. Power comes from His Presence 2. Power comes from His Love 3. Power comes for His Glory Life Group Discussion: Do you truly believe Jesus can change what trips you up? Where do you need to be healed? What is the number one thing you are praying for more than anything else right now? Do you believe God can answer your prayer? Do you talk about God’s goodness in your life early and often in your conversations?
The Mystery of God
March 24, 2024 • Jonathan Pokluda
The mystery of God is revealed in suffering, serving, and sharing. The mystery is revealed in suffering The mystery is revealed in serving The mystery is revealed in sharing Life Group Discussion: Have you witnessed unbelievable heart change in someone’s life? What changed? When you experience suffering, does God seem far away from you or near to you? What makes you say that? Who do we serve? Those who love us? Those who are our enemies? What would it look like to serve our enemies?
A Blended Family
March 17, 2024 • Jonathan Pokluda
We have been brought into The Kingdom of God by the blood of Jesus. We have been blended in with the Jews who trusted in Jesus as the Messiah. We are being built up into God’s temple and God is building His home among us forever. 1. You have been brought in 2. You have been blended 3. You are being built up Life Group Discussion: Is there a relationship you've given up on because of differing views? Why or why not? How many contacts are in your cell phone that are a different ethnicity than you? What can you do to increase the number. Would you say you're diligent when it comes to cultivating meaningful relationships with people who look different than you? If so, what makes you say that? If not, what is a step you can take to be diligent?
The Simple Gospel
March 10, 2024 • Grant Troutt
We were all dead in our sins before God. We couldn’t work our way or earn our way to Him. Yet, because of His never-ending love and mercy, He has made us alive in His Son Jesus. Paul lays out the simple yet powerful and profound life changing reality in these ten verses that is the Good News of the Gospel. 1. We were dead in our sins 2. By grace we are made alive in Christ 3. We are made alive to walk in our purpose Life Group Discussion: Growing up, how did you view the church – as a place to go, or a group of people who followed Jesus? What do you picture when you think of the word, “grace”? Hold out your fingerprint. Does anyone else have your same fingerprint? You are God’s masterpiece! What is one thing you could ask God to help you with this week? How would your life look different if you took this step?
Ask God
March 3, 2024 • Nate Hilgenkamp
Do you truly know what you have? As we continue to study Ephesians, Paul prays that the church in Ephesus would know four things. Ask God that you may know Him better Ask God to know the hope you have in Him Ask God to know the value you have in Him Ask God to know the power you have in Him Life Group Discussion: What do you value here on earth? How do you get to know God better? Are you afraid to ask God to use His power in your life and others? Do you believe the power is really there?
You Are Chosen
February 25, 2024 • Jonathan Pokluda
Why did God choose you? He chose you forevermore according to His pleasure. Even when you have nothing to offer Him , he brought you into His family. You’ve been chosen by the Father You have been forgiven and redeemed by Christ You have been sealed by His Holy Spirit Life Group Discussion: Why did God choose you? What is your story of grace and redemption? What does it mean to be affected for The Kingdom?
How God Changes a City
February 18, 2024 • Nate Hilgenkamp
How does a city change? In this message, we intro the book of Ephesians by looking at how God shifted the city of Ephesus. God changes a city by changing a person God changes a city by removing idols God changes a city with the message of His grace Life Group Discussion: Have you ever felt darkness in a city you visited? What are the idols that have your heart? Where is one place this week you can influence people? Hold each other accountable. Pray together to seek the welfare of our city and change the world through the power of Jesus.