WHERE WILL WE STEER

THIS NEW YEAR? EPHESIANS 1:1-2

Adapted from a Jim Black sermonhttp://www.sermoncentral.com/print_friendly.asp

?ContributorID=&SermonID=53634

Psalms 90:12 NIV Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of

wisdom.

At the beginning of a new year, we must be reminded of our purpose as a church to not

become distracted. Paul can encourage the Lindley Christian

church as he did the Ephesians by reminding us who we are and what we are

to be doing.

There was once an absent-minded professor who became so absorbed in his work that he forgot the simplest details. One morning his wife said, "Now Henry,

remember, we are moving today. Here, I'm putting this note in your pocket. Don't

forget."

The day passed by and the man came home to his house. He entered the front

door, and found the place empty. Distraught, he walked out to the curb and sat down. A young boy walked up to him,

and he asked him, "Little boy, do you know the people who used to live here?"

The boy replied, "Sure, Dad, mother told me you'd forget."

How often do we become so absorbed in "the little things of this world" that we forget who we are and whose we are and where we are going. As we navigate through this

life do we steer off course because something shiny takes our attention away

from the route we should be on?Distractions are all around us all the time,

aren’t they?

How many of you have been shocked back into reality when your vehicle’s tires roll

over the grated strips down the middle or edge of highway 65 because you became

distracted?Sometimes distractions can be just a little

annoying...a child whining at you while you’re trying to talk to someone on the

phone…a new kitty crying out & walking on the keyboard while you’re trying to work on

this sermon.

Sometimes distractions can cause you to lose concentration when you’re doing any

number of things. Reading, studying, working, praying, or even something as

simple as watching TV. Maybe it just happens to me due to my head injury, but I

have trouble following the story when someone is talking. Many times I have

paused or hit reverse so I could figure out what was going on.

But sometimes distractions can be downright dangerous! You hear about

legislation to discourage the use of cell phones while driving. I don’t know if more laws are the answer, but I know there are

many accidents credited to cell phone use.

Remember those two pilots who told investigators they became distracted as

they were working on their laptop computers and flew past their destination of

Minneapolis, MN, by 150 miles. They claimed to lose concentration while flying.

They did not steer, navigate, the plane to its intended destination. Becoming distracted can be fatal not only to you, but others as

well!

I bring up “Distractions” today because I am concerned that we might allow various “distractions” to take our eyes off of our focus... Seeking, Serving and Sharing

Jesus Christ!

What could these distractions be?Maybe something or someone new has

come into your life. The new addition to you life could be a blessing to you.

BUT…

Do you spend so much time or effort enjoying or thinking about it or them that you get distracted from navigating the life

God has laid out for you?If a church or Christian is on fire for the Lord

and about the business of the kingdom, SATAN doesn’t like it! And you can bet that he’ll begin attacking! But we can’t allow this to take our eyes off of what it is we are to

be about as God’s church!

As we begin 2012, I want us to ask 5 very important questions to help us maintain our

focus...1. Will we be anchored

in God’s Word?I’m not smart enough to stand before you each week and give you spiritual direction or ANYTHING ELSE for that matter that

might be useful...from myself!

I very much see my role as opening the text; helping us explore its meaning

together and finally coming to some kind of conclusion about what that means to my life

& yours.2 Peter 1:3 NIV His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us

by his own glory and goodness.

I want us to begin 2012 in the book of Ephesians to answer the two most important questions we could ask:

Who are We? What are we to do about it?

Ephesians is the Word of God and is one of the most compelling, spiritually

challenging and important books for the church in all of Scripture!

Ephesians 1:1 NIV Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ

Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In this standard greeting of 1st century letters, we see that Paul is very clearly the writer -the same Paul who had at one time dedicated his life to eradicating Christianity

(& Christians themselves!) But on that Damascus road in Acts 9 had an

experience that forever changed his life!NOW he is an apostle, not by his own

choice, but by the will of God - a point he’ll continue making!

By the time he writes this letter, he is in prison suffering for the cause of Christ, referred to in Chapter 3! Scholars aren’t

certain when he wrote it, because he spent so much time in jail! The reference books I refered to inticate Paul most likely wrote it during his Roman imprisonment- approx.

63-64 AD. Some date it as early as 58 AD.We don’t know.

But in that we can get a sense of the determination that Paul had in his ministry

to spread the gospel.No other book in the N.T. provides more

insightful thinking on the N.T. church as a whole.

Paul discusses the imagery of the church as a body, a temple, a family, – images

which combine to stress interrelatedness, belonging, connection, fellowship!

This is a message we need so much! Our world today is SO fractured by racism,

individualism. The religious world is fragmented by denominationalism. EVEN within Christian Churches there are bitter

divisions– some churches not fellowshipping with other churches, some

actively working against others.BUT Ephesians holds up another model!

One that destroys sectarianism & division! It tells of God’s providing a wholeness that

binds us together as believers!

If you’re not plugged into the power source there’s no wonder you may be feeling spiritually dry or empty this morning! If

you’re not spending a few moments each day in God’s Word, you’re not receiving or

hearing from God! How can you have a meaningful relationship with God if you

never allow him to speak to you?

This New Year is a good time to ask yourself and re-evaluate the question- is

MY life anchored in God’s Word? Do I look to it for direction?

For inspiration? For instruction?

We’re going to spend the next few weeks going through this book...once again anchoring everything we do here as a

church and as individual Christians in a textual study of the Word of God!

2. Will we live lives that reflect Jesus to others?

Paul talks more about Grace than any other NT writer. Paul knows that it is by Grace

that he has been saved, not by works, BUT Paul also says that a life saved by Grace is

a life that is forever CHANGED!

Ephesians demonstrates that change!

Ephesians 5:1 NIV Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and

live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering

and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual

immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for

God’s holy people.

4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be

sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-- such a man is an idolater-- has

any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7

Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you

are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.

Nowhere in the Bible is CONVERSION so clearly described as here! Not so much its

process...but its RESULT!Paul repeatedly contrasts one’s former way

of life vs. life in Christ! Life “in Christ” is different from life “in the

world”!!Sadly, the lives of many Christians are no different than the lives of non-Christians!

I wonder, are we really all that different from the world around us? In the music we listen to? In the television shows we watch? In the

way that we dress? In the way that we spend our money? In the organizations that

we belong to?

Do people see us and know right away that there’s something different about us...that

we’re Christians?

THAT’S the call that Ephesians is beckoning us to!

Verse 8 is the crux of the matter! “…now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of

light.”

YOU’RE CHILDREN OF GOD, SO LIVE LIKE IT!

3. Will we demonstrateour Unity to the community?

Ephesians puts a great deal of emphasis on UNITY.

Ephesians 4:3 NIV Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond

of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope

when you were called-- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Notice, Paul says the same thing in1 Corinthians 12 to make the case for Unity!

It’s a favorite theme. 1Corinthians 12:12 NIV The body is a unit,

though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all

baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.14 Now the body is not made up of one part

but of many…

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

We are to MAKE EVERY EFFORT to keep the unity of the Spirit!

Notice, that unity exists whether we recognize it or not, because it is unity of the

Spirit! There is ONE body- whether we want to admit it or not just as there is ONE Spirit,

one Lord, one faith and one baptism!

The demonstration of our love for one another shows our unity & testifies to the

world we are Jesus disciples!John 13:35 NIV By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one

another.” I wonder what Dallas County thinks of God by observing us?...our unity…Our love for

one another?

This is made even more complicated by the view of some scholars that Ephesians was intended for a much wider audience than JUST the church at Ephesus. Here is why they think that. Paul would have been very

familiar with the church at Ephesus. According to Acts, he spent more than two

years there and knew the people well.

Yet, this letter doesn’t have quite the personal tone that Paul’s letter to the

Philippians does.So, most scholars believe it was a circular letter–that is, to be circulated among many

of the different congregations including Ephesus, which is why its name is in the

greeting.

In other words, it wasn’t meant JUST for one congregation, but was intended for the church as a whole. I believe we’ll see that in

its message.

I say all of that to say this: unlike the Corinthian letters where Paul seems to be

addressing particular problems in that particular congregation–Ephesians is more

general...having in mind the universal church!.

The church universal is essentially ONE! And we are to “make every effort” to

maintain that “oneness”!!The church is made up of every saved

individual regardless of what congregation of the church they attend!

It’s NOT my job to draw lines; to determine who is in and who is out;

It IS my job to preach & teach people the truth of the gospel AND to “make every

effort” to demonstrate the unity that is ours thru the Spirit!

What does Dallas County think of God by observing the way in which several

Christian Churches demonstrate that Spirit-Unity?

4. Will we not just talk about worship, but do it?

In several lessons we’ve talked about the subject of Worship. It is perhaps THE most important thing we do as a church family!The book of Ephesians doesn’t say a lot

about worship or prayer, but notice this: the book is filled with both!

A good deal of Ephesians IS worship & prayer! For example the 1st chapter is

entirely praise & prayer.

Many scholars believe that other large chunks of the letter were traditional hymns or prayers that Paul took in to his writing. While not discussing the subjects directly; Ephesians teaches us a great deal about

how to worship and how to pray.That prompts me to think; it’s one thing to talk about it; quite another to do it. Doesn’t

James make a similar point?

James 2:14 NIV What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but

has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without

clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and

well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the

same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without

deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

After talking about it for so long, has it made a difference in the way YOU worship?

Will this church be a praying church in 2012?

Will we seek the Lord’s guidance & will in what we experience in the coming year? In

our families? In the opportunities that he affords us?

Will this church be a worshiping church in 2012? Or will we just talk about it some

more?Will we openly & honestly come before the Lord each week in truth & Spirit and offer

our praise & adoration to God for who he is & what he has done?

Will YOU?

5. Will we be actively focused on reaching the lost?In Ephesians Paul very clearly

communicates his mission as an apostle of Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:7 NIV I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given

me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me:

to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to

everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in

God, who created all things.Paul was a servant; a servant tasked with the mission to take the gospel out into the

world...To “make plain to everyone” the mystery of what God had done!

This wasn’t a task that he was guilted into...or forced into; RATHER he considered it a “gift of God’s grace” to be able to spread

this message!Is THAT how WE see evangelism?

As a gift of God’s grace?Most sermons I’ve heard on trying to get Christians to be more evangelistic have

tended to heap guilt upon me for not doing more; they’ve tended to pressure me into signing up for some kind of door-knocking

campaign, etc.

NOT Paul! He says simply it is a gift!

The opportunities we have to share the gospel are God’s gift of grace to us! It is a great privilege and honor to share Christ with someone...not a chore or task to be

dutifully but reluctantly carried out!

Ephesians has the potential to change the way we think of evangelism in the church!

In short, Ephesians tells us how to be the church!

That’s perfect as we begin a new year!Where Will We Steer

This New Year?It is my hope that we will seek to emulate

the church that Paul talks about in Ephesians!

Where Will YOU SteerThis New Year?

Ephesians also reminds us of what it means to be a Christian ...someone who has made

a change from the way we USED to be.It tells us how to be good wives & good

husbands; good children and better parents.

It holds SO much for ALL of us! I’m looking forward to this study and hope that you’ll

take every opportunity (not only to be here with us each week) but to bring someone

with you.

Knowing Jesus makes a difference in how we live our lives.

Has he made a difference in your life? Have you ever committed your whole life to him?If not- let me encourage you to do so this

morning.If you ARE a Christian but have been

convicted that some things in your life need to change...make that right with God today!