Future Forward
Future Forward: Walk in Unity
June 26, 2022 • Pastor Kent Landhuis • Ephesians 4
FUTURE FORWARD: Walk in Unity - Pastor Kent Landhuis THEME - The Gospel unites us. TEXT - Ephesians 4:1-7 OUTLINE A. Celebrate gospel-based unity. 1. One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one Father. 2. Walk worthy of the calling to which you were called. (4:1) B. Maintain humility-driven unity. 1. Walk with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love. Eph.4:2 2. In humility value others above yourselves. Phil. 2:3 3. Love bears all things. 1 Cor. 13 C. Pursue Jesus-minded unity. 1. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Phil. 2:5 2. One God, above all, through all, and in all. Eph. 4:6 NEXT STEPS 1. Stop feeding our natural tendency to divide. 2. Celebrate our core gospel identity. 3. WATCH: Dig deeper - “Unity and Community in a Time of Division” by Ed Stetzer. (See link above)
Future Forward: Walk in Submission
June 19, 2022 • Pastor Kent Landhuis • Ephesians 5:21
FUTURE FORWARD: Walk in Submission - Pastor Kent Landhuis THEME - When the way forward becomes complicated, we need submission, surrender, and trust. TEXT - Ephesians 5:21 OUTLINE A. Walk into the future. 1. Walk in love. Ephesians 5:1-5 2. Walk in light. Ephesians 5:6-14 3. Walk in wisdom. Ephesians 5:7-20 B. Walk toward complexity. 1. Complexity requires submission. Ephesians 5:21. 2. Submission requires surrender. Matthew 16:24 3. Surrender requires trust. Matthew 7:7 C. Walk with confidence. 1. We love people and denounce hatred. 2. We pursue justice for all and deplore prejudice. 3. We treasure peace and condemn violence. NEXT STEPS 1. What idea or ideal do we need to hold more lightly (surrender)? 2. What issue needs to be more personal? 3. Where do we need greater trust?
Future Forward: Walk in Wisdom
June 12, 2022 • Pastor Kent Landhuis • Ephesians 5
FUTURE FORWARD: Walk in Wisdom - Pastor Kent Landhuis THEME - The way forward requires love, light, and wisdom. TEXT - Ephesians 5:15-21 OUTLINE A. Walk into the Future. 1. Walk as imitators of God who love. Ephesians 5:1-7 2. Walk as light shining in the darkness. Ephesians 5:6-14 B. Avoid Foolishness. 1. How long will you, who are simple, love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Proverbs 1:22 2. Beware of simpletons, scoffers, and rebels. Ephesians 5:15 3. Matthew 7:24-27. C. Seek Wisdom. Ephesians 5:15-21 1. Make the most of every opportunity. 2. Follow the Lord’s will. 3. Life in the Spirit. 4. Sing songs. 5. Give thanks. NEXT STEPS 1. What is the loving thing to do? 2. What is the light thing to do? 3. What is the wise thing to do?
Future Forward: Be the Light
June 5, 2022 • Pastor Steve Poole • Ephesians 5
FUTURE FORWARD: Be the Light – Steve Poole THEME - Because God holds our future in His hands, our future is secure. TEXT - Ephesians 5:6-14 A. Warning - Do NOT be deceived, Do NOT partner with the deceived B. Progressive Christianity 1. Progressive Christianity Has a Low View of Christ 2. Progressive Christianity Is Focused on Moralism, Not Salvation 3. Progressive Christianity Downplays Our Fallen-ness C. “Welcome is our language, but transformation is our vocabulary” ~Pastor Kent D. Because we ARE light we do ‘light’ things. 1. Ephesians 5:1 2. Ephesians 2:4-6 3. Exposure to the light is hazardous to our status quo. NEXT STEPS 1. Have you been transformed by the light of Jesus? 2. Who do you need to share the light of Jesus with? 3. Know the truth so you will NOT be deceived. 4. Pray for your church and elders as we continue the process of joining new partners in ministry - The Alliance.
Future Forward: Imitate God
May 29, 2022 • Pastor Kent Landhuis • Ephesians 5
Future Forward: Imitate God - Pastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Because God holds our future in His hands, our future is secure. TEXT - Ephesians 5:1-7 OUTLINE A. Imitators of God forgive. 1. We are forgiven. Ephesians 1&2 2. We forgive others. Ephesians 4:31-32 B. Imitators of God love. 1. Love sacrifices. Romans 5:6-8, I John 4 2. Love Protects. Ephesians 5:1-2 3. Love corrects. Ephesians 4:25-30, Ephesians 5:3-7 C. Imitators of God obey. 1. Put off the old. Ephesians 4:21-23, 2. Put on the new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NEXT STEPS 1. When you face anticipatory anxiety, what substitute do you use make your future feel secure? 2. List the areas of your life where you can imitate God with forgiveness, love, and obedience.