Ephesians 4:15-16

The Chapel Fort Wayne

Ephesians 4:15-16

Building Spiritual Muscle

September 21, 2023 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Ephesians 4:15–16

There are some things in life that just don’t work well if you don’t have all the parts and pieces working together! Have you ever ridden a bicycle and had the chain skip off the gears? A bike without a working chain won’t get you very far! How about riding a bike without a seat? Sure, maybe you could make it work, but it’s not going to be nearly the same. Think how much harder you’ll have to work and how much it will slow you down. By themselves, the parts can’t take you very far, but working together you can reach the full potential of what the bicycle designer intended. As we in the body of Christ work together fully unified, we will grow stronger and be able to reach the full potential that God has designed us for.

PASSAGE: Ephesians 4:15-16 - "15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

PAUSE: The apostle Paul viewed the church as the body of Christ. He clarified the win for every church: each church is to grow spiritually mature. We build muscle when we are properly equipped and empowered to serve others.

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for being too busy to serve the body of Christ. Help me to be properly equipped and empowered to serve here at the Chapel.

Philippians 3:10-11

September 29, 2023 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Philippians 3:10–11

I think back to when I was a child experiencing a hurt or heartache, and there were a few things that were so comforting that it instantly provided relief. I knew when my mom would kiss my wound or my dad would pick me up that everything was going to be okay. And then we age, life grows harder, and the pain cuts deeper. But I want to encourage you not to lose sight the confident assurance that remains in the one thing that can bring us comfort no matter what storm we are facing. The Apostle Paul encouraged his readers by reminding them of the hope we have in Christ because of His resurrection. We will experience suffering in this life, but our hope in Christ is not just wishful thinking--it's a guaranteed comfort that He has proven through His resurrection and that He's promised to us. PASSAGE: Philippians 3:10-11 - "10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead." PAUSE: While in jail for sharing Christ, Paul encouraged the church in Philippi to truly know Christ in the midst of their suffering. Because of the resurrection, we not only have hope, but we have a hope that we can depend upon. PRAYER: Father, thank you for the resurrection. Release the power of the resurrection of Christ in my life. I want to know You better. Turn these stormy seasons into a pathway to grow in my faith!

Hebrews 12:1-2

September 28, 2023 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Hebrews 12:1–2

When we go through a tough situation, the enemy wants us to feel isolated. He wants us to think we're the only one dealing with a situation like this. I want you to know that no matter what you have gone through or you're going through right now, you are not alone. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to remain strong and to reflect on the faith of those who have gone before us. Even though these men and women made mistakes and were far from perfect, chapter 11 applauds those who demonstrated great faith through their trials and tribulations. Find encouragement from this great cloud of witnesses, find support from believers around you, and turn your eyes toward Jesus--the founder and perfecter of our faith! PASSAGE: Hebrews 12:1-2 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." PAUSE: The writer of Hebrews wrote to a church that was persecuted and suffered tremendously. He encouraged them to stay on course and to finish the race. He told them to fix their eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith! Jesus wants our faith to grow as we experience storms. PRAYER: Father, forgive me for taking my eyes off Jesus. Just like those heroes of the faith, help me to put my faith in You, help me to look to You for strength.

Romans 8:18

September 27, 2023 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Romans 8:18

Often when we go through a tough time in our lives, it consumes our thoughts. Maybe a relationship struggle, a diagnosis, or a loss. We wake up thinking about it, it's on our minds all day, and we go to bed thinking about it. Every decision we make is affected by this cloud that's hanging over us. What hope can we have in those moments when everything around us seems dark? In the letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul encouraged them to look beyond their present sufferings to greater days ahead—when we are in God’s presence. It’s important to note, Paul isn’t downplaying the suffering you’re going through. But he’s pointing out that when we experience the true glory of being with God, it will make any struggle you’ve faced seem so insignificant. So friends, while you go through stormy seasons, keep your eyes fixed not on the present sufferings, but on the glory to come! PASSAGE: Romans 8:18 - "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." PAUSE: Thankfully our sufferings are temporary. A better tomorrow is coming, a tomorrow that is filled with God’s glory. When we compare our present sufferings with eternal glory, it fills our hearts with hope. Whether you can see it or not, God is at work, both in this world as well as in you. PRAYER: Father, thank You for your glory. Help me not to focus on my suffering, but help me to place my hope in the better future that is coming!