SERMON NOTES

Subject:           “God’s Blueprint for Heaston”

Speaker:          Dr. A. Burge Troxel

Date:               May 6, 2007

Scripture:         Ephesians 1-6

Introduction:

Physical Blueprint and Spiritual Blueprint

God’s Blueprint = TOGETHERNESS

Ephesians 1:10

“to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.”

Ephesians 2:21

“In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.”

Ephesians 2:22

“And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

Ephesians 3:6

“This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 4:16

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Outline

The Spiritual Foundation 1-3

What to Believe

The Spiritual Structure 4-6

How to Behave

I.    The Foundation Has         [What to Believe]

The Spiritual Foundation

Chapters 1-3

The Spiritual Foundation

Spiritual Blessings

Spiritual Salvation

Spiritual Union

Spiritual Mystery

A.  Blessings – 1:3-14

Ephesians 1:3

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

We are, Chosen, Predestined, Adopted, Redeemed, Forgiven, Sealed

B.  Salvation – 1:15-2:10

Ephesians 1:17

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”

We know Him, His Power, His Authority, His Salvation Better

C.  Union – 2:11-3:6

Ephesians 2:14-15

14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,

Jews & Gentiles are now Together

D.  Mystery – 3:7-19

Ephesians 3:10

“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,”

The Purpose of the Church is to Show the Wisdom of God to the World as We Are Motivated by Love

We show God’s Wisdom motivated by Love

II.  The Structure Needs                     [How to Behave]

The Structure

Chapters 4-6

The Structure

Spiritual Unity

Spiritual Purity

Spiritual Harmony

Spiritual Stability

A.  Unity – 4:1-16

Ephesians 4:3

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

We have Common Beliefs and Varied Spiritual Gifts

B.  Purity – 4:17-5:20

Ephesians 4:17

“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.”

Mind

New Self

Emotions

Will

Forgiveness

Filling

Worship

We must be controlled by the Holy Spirit

C.  Harmony– 5:21-6:9

Ephesians 5:21

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

We submit in the Family & the Workplace

D.  Stability – 6:10-20

Ephesians 6:11

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

We practice Spiritual Warfare with Prayer

Conclusion:

Ephesians 3:10

“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,”

Let’s Follow God’s Blueprint for Heaston!

Benediction

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

According to his power that is at work within us,

To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21