Sermon Manuscript: Ephesians

Series: Undeserved

Title: Undeserved Identity

Date: 4.30.23

Location: Lakehills Community Church, Lake Elsinore, Ca

Ephesians 2:1-2 (NIV)

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

Ephesians 2:3-5 (NIV)

3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

Point number 1 in your notes:

There is always something or someone helping you produce the identity of you that you convey to others.

Genesis 1:27 (NIV)

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Exodus 20:4-5 (NIV)

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Point number 2 in your notes:

When God gives gifts, He does not give fairly.

Ephesians 2:6-7 (NIV)

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Point number 3 in your notes:

You didn’t earn, nor do you deserve this identity in Christ, but still, it is yours - if you will accept it.

Ephesians 4:24 (NIV)

and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Psalm 17:15 (NASB)

As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Point number 4 in your notes:

Your true handmade identity has been created in Christ and prepared by God.

Colossians 3:10 (NASB)

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created it—

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Romans 12:2 (NASB)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Here’s point number one in your notes this morning:

God, by his own nature, cannot be second.

Point number 2 in your notes is this:

There is always somebody or something helping us write our priority list and put them in order.

Point number 3 in your notes is this:

You cannot hide your priorities from God.

Exodus 20:3 (NASB)

You shall have no other gods before Me.

Point number 4 in your notes is this:

Our behavior is going to show how honest we are about our priorities.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NASB)

and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Colossians 3:23-24 (NASB)

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Numbers 18 (NASB)

18 So the Lord said to Aaron, “You, your sons, and your father’s household with you shall bear the guilt in connection with the sanctuary (that is, you should do the work), and you and your sons with you shall bear the guilt (that is, you should do the work) in connection with your priesthood.

Point number 1 in your notes:

God has appointed people to manage His church.

Numbers 18: 20-21, 25-26 (NASB)

Then the Lord said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel. 21 “To the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel as an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting.

Leviticus 27:30 (NASB)

30 ‘Now all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord. This is the instruction that God gave to Aaron and the priests who were to run the houses of worship.

Numbers 18: 25-26 (NASB)

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 26 “Moreover, you shall speak to the Levites and say to them, ‘When you take from the sons of Israel the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present an offering from it to the Lord, a tithe of the tithe.

Point number 2 in your notes:

Everyone has a responsibility to Tithe.

Deuteronomy 12:13-14, 19 (NLT)

Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings just anywhere you like. 14 You may do so only at the place the Lord will choose within one of your tribal territories.19 And be very careful never to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.

Point number 3 in your notes:

God did not allow anyone to make an excuse not to give Him His tithe.

Matthew 23:1-3 (NLT)

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. 3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.

Matthew 23:23 (NLT)

23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

Mark Batterson

"Let me be blunt, because on the subject of money Jesus was. Obedience can be measured in dollars. So can faith. So can sacrifice. It’s certainly not the only measure, but it’s one of the most accurate. If we give God 2 percent of our income, can we really say we are 100 percent committed to Him? I think not. If we withhold the tithe, can we really say, “In God we trust”? If we give God our leftovers instead of the firstfruits, can we really say we’re seeking first His kingdom?" ― from "All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life"

Point number 4 in your notes:

What if our love for God was measured by our obedience to giving?

Ephesians 6:10-17

Series: Text Messages

Title: Preparing for a Fight

Date: 11/13/22

Ephesians 6:10 (NLT)

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

2 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)

Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.

Point number 1 in your notes:

You are not prepared to fight or recognize the spiritual battle you are fighting.

Ephesians 6:11 (NLT)

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Ephesians 4:14 (NLT)

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.

Point number 2 in your notes:

Satan uses weapons in this battle: confusion, lies, pride, selfishness, secrets, chaos, addiction, and more.

Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NLT)

3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

Ephesians 6:13 (NLT)

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Ephesians 6:14 (ESV)

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Isaiah 11:5 (NLT)

He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.

Point number 3 in your notes:

All of your spiritual armor is based upon Truth. If you are wishy-washy about truth, you’re dead in the water.

John 17:17 (NLT)

Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

Psalm 119:160 (NKJV)

The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

Ephesians 6:15 (NLT)

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

Isaiah 52:7 (NLT)

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns.

Ephesians 6:16 (NLT)

In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

Ephesians 6:17 (NLT)

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Isaiah 59:17 (NLT)

He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head.

Point number 4 in your notes:

If we don’t armor up and stand and fight against this enemy, people will die.

Romans 8:37-39 (NLT)

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sermon Manuscript: Ephesians 6:1-3

Series: Text Messages

Title: Parenting God’s Way

Date: 11/6/22

Ephesians 6:1 (NLT)

Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.

The natural instinct of a child is to obey.

Proverbs 22:6 (NLT)

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NLT)

And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Ephesians 6:4a (NLT)

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them.

Parenting demands finding the balance between direction and destruction

Proverbs 13:24 (NLT)

Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

Proverbs 6:20 (NLT)

My son, obey your father’s commands and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

Ephesians 6:4 (NLT)

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Godly parents raise godly children to love Jesus.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NLT)

“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

I am going to memorize Hebrews 10:23.

Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Sermon Manuscript: Ephesians 5:1-15

Series: Text Messages

Title: Shadow Puppets

Date: 10.16.22

Ephesians 5:1a (NLT)

Imitate God, therefore,

Ephesians 4:25-32 (NLT)

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, 28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. 30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Point number 1 in your Notes:

All actions of all Christians reflect Jesus.

John 8:11a (NLT)

“No, Lord,” she said.

John 8:11b (NLT)

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

John 5:14b (NASB)

“Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore”

Point number 2 in your Notes:

Non-Believers can see a loving God when Christians distance themselves from sin.

John 13:12-15 (NLT)

After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.

Ephesians 5:3 (NLT)

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.

Ephesians 5:3 (ESV)

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Point number 3 on in your Notes:

Christians are God’s people. They are saints. There is no place for sin amongst God’s saints.

Colossians 3:5 (NLT)

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

Exodus 20:17 (NLT)

“You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”

Ephesians 5:4-7 (NLT)

Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. 6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do.

Ephesians 5:8-9 (NASB)

for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

1 John 1:5-7 (NASB)

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

John 8:12 (NASB)

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

Point number 4 in your Notes:

A Christian’s life should never eclipse God’s Light.

Ephesians 5:10-15 (NLT)

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. 15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.

Pastor Jerry Bennett