LBC Sermons & Messages

Text: Ephesians 5:8-24

Paul now reminds the church of the way we used to walk before we knew Christ. He reminds us that we were sometimes in darkness. The idea behind this is one who lives in the shadows. We know that man loves darkness rather than light because his deeds are wicked. Our human nature is to sneak, steal, and deceive.

He also reminds us that we were asleep, vs. 14. We were not awake to the things of God. We could care less about righteousness and holiness in our natural, fallen state. All our thoughts and concerns were about ourselves and no one else. We were asleep or dead in our
trespasses and sins.

However, in Christ we now can walk in the Light. Matt. 5:13-16 tells us that we are salt and light. We give this dying world flavor and the ability to see through proclaiming and living the Truth. It is all possible only in and through Christ for He is the source of our light. When the lights are turned on, darkness flees. Our lives should be lived in such a fashion that all darkness is uncomfortable in our presence.

We are also told to walk alert or circumspectly, vs. 15. We are to pay attention to what is going on around us and live as soldiers of Light. I Thess. 5:5-10 teaches us that we are children of Light and need to be alert and watch for the coming of Christ.

Next, we are to walk in wisdom redeeming or making good the time, vs. 16. God wants us to be full of wisdom, Prov. 1:7; 9:10; 15:33. We are to ask for wisdom and God will give it to us liberally and will not hold back.

Lastly, the righteous woman walks in submission and support, vs. 22-24. Women are to be submissive to their own husbands just as men are to be submissive to God and as we are to be in subjection to each other, James 4. Part of the curse is that woman will want to rule over man and it is a daily struggle to honor God through submission. We are all selfish and given to personal lusts. But our job is to support each other and edify. So, who will you lift up this week? What weak knees and heavy hands will you help lift?

Text: Ephesians 5:1-8

Paul wraps up chapter 4 with giving us a challenge to soldier up and battle Satan as he tries to destroy, divide and diminish God’s church. The choice is yours and mine. We have been given great and precious promises and we have the victory so our greatest enemy is ourselves.

Paul now goes on to tell us that we are to walk in light. The key is to understand the source of that Light and that is Christ. Like Paul, we must understand who we are and who God is. Without God, we would be nothing, we would not even exist. Paul was always quick to preach Christ and Him alone.

Paul tells us that we are to walk in the love of God. I Peter 2:12-24 gives us a glimpse of the love of Christ. Here He is God Himself and yet stayed on the cross and took the shame, reproach, and pain for us. All because of love for His people.

Paul and Silas were out preaching because of love one day and it ended up with them in prison, Acts 16:25-31. Love then pushed them to sing praises to their God as they were in the dark, cold prison cell. When they had an opportunity to escape, they decided to stay and show the love of God to the keeper.

Not only are we told to walk in the love of Christ, we are also told to offer ourselves as sacrifices as Christ did. Gal. 1:1-5 shows us that Christ made a conscience decision to give Himself to redeem man to the Father. It cost Him and God the Father dearly. Rom 3:21-25 reminds us that Christ became sin that we might become righteousness. He was our propitiation or substitute and our Justifier. We are also to walk this way. This week when Satan rears his ugly little head, how will you decide to walk? Will we walk in the love of Christ offering ourselves as He did?

We have a choice before us today. We can walk according to fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, foolish talk or jesting and sleepy. We can also choose to walk like Christ and walk in goodness, awake, giving thanks, speaking truth and righteousness. This world needs us to walk like Christ. God the Father desires us to walk like Christ. So, how will you and I choose to walk?

Text: Ephesians 4:17-ff.

Once we make the decision to allow God to work through us by being obedient to Him, the battle begins. I wish it was a one time battle but the truth is that this battle against evil lasts till we are in glory with God Himself. Therefore, we have to be on the alert at all times and never give in to the enemy.

Paul tells us to not walk as the world, vs. 17, 18. I Thess. 5 even tells us to avoid all appearances of evil. We should be far from evil and the ways of this world. Paul tells us to avoid the vanity of the mind. Through our sinful nature, we are disposed to be full of pride and selfishness and to live in the vanity of our mind. Jer. 17:9-11 teaches us that our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked. Through our sinful nature we also have our understanding darkened. Apart from Christ and the Light of the Truth, we live in darkness. We cannot understand this world and how It works apart from the Truth of God’s Word. We must continually renew our minds, Rom. 12:1, 2.

Then, Paul tells us not to walk in the uncleanness and filth of the world. Not only are we not to look and act like the world, but we are not to do the things of the world. Later, in chapter five of Ephisians, Paul tells us that sin should not even be named among us once.

To close out the chapter, Paul gives us a list of the Old Man and contrasts it to the New Man. The Old Man is full of lying, anger, wrath, giving place to the Devil, stealing to gain for self, corrupt speech, grieving the Holy Spirit, bitterness, clamour and evil speaking. Does this sound like the world today or what? Would any of these sum up your life or even a moment of any day? Instead, we are to be full of truth, sin not, give place to God, labor to give to those in need, use speech to edify others, kindness, tenderness, forgiveness, and Christ-likeness. How often does this list sum up your moments on this earth? This world is so upside down and in dyer need of someone who is willing to give all for the advancement of the Truth. God is yearning for someone to stand and be willing to be that one. Is that someone you? Is that me? Let’s live to give God glory.

Text: Ephesians 4:11-ff.

We have looked at the gifts that God has given to us. We, His church, are the recipients of the gifts, vs. 11. The phrase that “God gave some…” in the Greek carries the meaning that He indeed gave. God does not hold back from His church. We also looked at the reason for the gifts. They were to perfect the saints, to do the work of the ministry, to edify believers, and to encourage the body, vs. 12, 13.

Today, we will look at the results of the gifts, vs. 14-16. First, we are told to grow up, vs. 15. This is accomplished by the speaking the Truth of God’s Word in love. Truth must be spoken but also received to make a difference. When the Truth is spoken and received, we grow up in Christ. John 3:27-ff. teaches us that for us to truly grow in Christ, we must decrease and He must increase. II Peter 3:17, 18 also challenges us to grow in the grace of Christ Jesus. It is a conscience decision.

The second result is that we grow together, vs. 16. One phrase is fitly joined together. There is design and purpose in the body of Christ, Eph. 2:19-ff. The other concept is compacted or knit together, Judges 20:11. When we use the gifts that God has given to us as a body we will grow. There is another side, which is disobedience. We have a choice to be obedient and use the gifts to affect the body for good or we can disobey and affect the body for evil.

So the opposite of faith producing obedience is anxiety. It is something that we all face and deal with, Matt. 6:25, Phil. 4:6, 7. Let me ask you a question, what is God capable of doing? He can do whatever He wants for He is God. Why then do you and I get full of anxiety when God wants to do something through us? Why is our faith lacking at times?

The key to overcoming anxiety is found in Eph. 4:8-13. It is a battle in the mind. Our minds must be renewed in the Spirit and focused on godly concepts. When we allow our minds to be distracted and sidetracked, we will be full of anxiety which will lead to faithless disobedience. You and I can do all things through Christ which strengthens His church. Lets be obedient this week and meditate on His Word.

Text: Ephesians 4:11-ff.

We serve a great LORD! He blesses our lives with so
many gifts. II Peter 1 tells us that God according to His
abundant mercy hath given us these great gifts. The gifts that
the Father gives come first through Jesus Christ who gave
Himself for us and then redeemed us to Himself. The
word “some” in Ephesians 4 means indeed. God does give
certain gifts to certain people but God indeed gives these gifts
to His church. You can count on it.

God also gave these gifts to the church for a reason, vs.
12-14. First, God gave gifts for the perfecting of the saints.
God loves everyone but He wants us to grow in grace closer to
Him each day and to be more like Him. He desires us to be
perfect or complete, Matt. 5:48; 19:16-22; II Tim. 3:16, 17. Who
are you pushing into a more perfect relationship with Christ?

Secondly, God gives His church gifts to do the work of
the ministry or of ministration. God has given us many jobs to
do but we have one ministry and that is a ministry of
reconciliation, II Cor. 5:16-19. God wants us to help this dark
world find their way to the light. We are to be salt and light to
bring them to Christ. Who are you pointing to the truth?

The church also has been blessed with gifts to edify the
body. We are to help this world find Him, push each other into
a more perfect relationship with Christ and to lift or build up
each other, Rom. 14:19; I Cor. 10:23, 24; I Thess. 5:11. This
world spends its day ripping us to shreds and pushing us down.
We need to be a people that are edifying so we may go out and
do the ministry that God has given us. Who are you building up
today?

These gifts should also be used to encourage the
believers, John 14, Hebrews 12:7-13, and to strengthen the
body, Ex. 17; I Sam. 23:16-18. So many times we use gifts
selfishly for our own purpose and advancement. God is the
giver for we can do nothing apart from Him, John 15. He is also
the source of these gifts. How dare us use them for our own
good. Let us spend our lives using the blessings we are given to lift up our blessed Savior.

Text: Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:13-31 John 20

Today we celebrate the pinnacle event of all times. Today we celebrate the resurrection of the Messiah from the dead. If Christ had not risen, our faith would be in vain and empty. By risen from the dead, Christ proved He was God Himself and therefore able to pay for our sins as the perfect lamb and then give us power over death and the grave. Praise be to God.

When you read the passages about the resurrection it can be a little confusing so one must put all the gospel accounts together. However, one prevailing theme in the lives of the people that were closest to Christ is evident and that is doubt. Christ was very transparent and open about the events that would happen and yet His friends and family chose not to listen.

It starts off with Mary and Mary making their way to the tomb with burial spices for the body of Christ. They knew it was the third day and yet they were heading there to treat the body. Mary was in disbelief even after talking with the angel for she ran to the disciples and told them that they have taken His body and she did not know where they put it. The disciples are all in disbelief and Christ even appears to them and talks with them. Thomas and the other disciples did not believe until they saw the prints in Christ’s hands and feet and gazed upon the pierced side. Yet, Christ was and is indeed risen from the grave. Doubt was in the hearts of Christ’s followers and doubt breeds fear. Let me ask you, does your life through hope and courage show this old world that we serve a risen Savior or does it point to a dead master through doubt and fear?

Christ is alive today and we do emphatically serve a risen Savior. Because He rose from the dead we have salvation, Rom. 10:13. Our salvation is in the completed work of the Messiah. Our salvation is also eternal and secure, I John 5:13. Then as we journey through this life we can have power, Acts 1:8. We can tap into the eternal, unlimited power of Christ. Moreover, if that was not enough, we can be more than conquerors, Rom. 8:37, we can slay any giant in our lives, I Sam. 17, and we can move any mountain in our way, Matt. 17:20. This week, why not live like Christ is risen, for He is!

Text: Matthew 21

Today we celebrate the King of Kings entering into Jerusalem. There was much fanfare and pomp but if one would allow God to open the eyes of their heart, there is much that the Lord can teach us. We see a crowd that is worshiping the Messiah and yet many do not know who He is, vs. 10. It is imperative that we know the Lord, God the Son in flesh, as the Messiah and that He knows us as His children. This is all possible because of the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for the remission of sin. This is the starting point for understanding any scripture.

When we look at the account of Christ entering into the city of Jerusalem, we cannot help but see the unquestioning obedience of Christ’s disciples, vs. 1-7. They were told to go get the donkey and they obeyed without question. The disciples may have been a little thick headed but their obedience is seen several times in scripture. Another account is found in Matt. 14 when Christ feed the multitude with five loaves and two fishes. I can only imagine what the disciples were thinking when Christ told them to bring Him the food to bless and then start passing it out. Lord, gives us this unquestioning obedience.

Secondly, we see the undoubting obedience of the Savior, vs. 8-11. Christ knew what was happening and He knew how soon the unbelieving people would turn on Him. He knew what it would cost and yet He was still obedient all the way to death, Phil. 2:1-11. However, because of this obedience, mankind now has the opportunity to be redeemed and Christ is highly exalted.

Lastly, we need to see that we then have undetermined obedience. We now have a choice laid out before us and all the tools are made available for total obedience to God. It may not make sense and it may cost everything you and I have. Josh 3 reminds us of how God works. He commanded the people of Israel and they had a choice to obey or not. To obey though, their feet had to go into the river and get wet. What is God asking you to do today? Are your feet going to get wet or are you going to stay on the banks and watch? The choice is ours.

Text: Ephesians 4:7-16

Collectively, God gives His grace in forms of talents and skills He gives us His church. These gifts you will notice as we discuss them apply to each of us but it seems that some in the body of Christ excel at them. First, we see that God gives the church apostles, Heb. 3:1, 2; John 20:19-23. An apostle is a delegate or a messenger sent by someone with a specific message or purpose. God is the one who sends us. We are all sent with a specific purpose and message from God. Some excel at proclaiming the message of God in a clear fashion.

Secondly, we see that God give His body those who excel at being prophets, II Peter 1:19-ff, I Thess. 5:19-24. A prophet is one who can interpret the Word of God and then is moved by the Spirit. A prophet is sensitive to the moving of the Holy Ghost. When was the last time you were moved by the Spirit? When was the last time you obeyed the Spirit? The more we quench the Spirit the harder it becomes to hear Him.

Next, God gives His church evangelists or bringers of good tidings, Mark 16:14-18, Matt. 28:16-ff. There are those who seem to be able to lead a stump to the Lord. It just comes naturally to them. This does not negate the fact that we are all told to be witnesses but some do it easier than others.

God also places Pastors in His church or those who are care givers. This is a different word than that of the Bishop or the administrator. Christ is the ultimate example, Is. 53:6-9, Gla. 1:1-5. He then in returns calls all of us to care for each other, Phil. 2:3. The keys are found in Gal. 4:1-10.

Lastly, God gives his church teachers. Again there are those who seem naturally gifted when it comes to teaching. However, we all have the commission to teach, Matt. 28:16-ff. It may not be in front of a crowd but our actions are continually teaching those around us. Everything we do is a lesson to those around us. So, are you teaching just and right principles or are you teaching selfishness?

These are some of the ways God pours out His grace to His church. What is He calling you to do. Why has God given you talents and are you using them?

Text: Ephesians 4:7-16

What has Christ given to you? When you really meditate about that question you begin to see how blessed you really are. You may think you are blessed with an abundance of pain and heartache but when you look at all the Lord does for and through you, we are truly blessed.

Paul reminds us that Christ has given us grace. If we are only blessed to be the recipients of God’s grace we would be most fortunate. Rom. 3:21-26; 5:15-17; Eph. 2:8, 9 teach us that it is God’s grace that brings us salvation. If it were not for God’s grace, each one of us would spend eternity separated from God in the Lake of Fire. II Cor. 9:6-9 reminds us that God’s grace not only brings salvation but His grace also keeps us secure. There is nothing that can separate us from God’s love, Rom. 8:38, 39. Praise God for His grace!

Notice also that Christ determines the amount. This is possible because He is the author of grace, John 1:17, Rom. 3:24. Christ is God’s grace in the flesh. II Cor. 9:6-9 gives us the idea that God is just waiting for us to be obedient and follow Him because He yearns to pour out His grace upon us.

Not only does God give us grace personally but He also gives grace to the church, vs. 11-16. First, God gives us apostles which are delegates or messengers, Heb. 3:1, 2, 2:14-ff. He also gives the church prophets or those who are moved by the Spirit and sensitive to God and His Word, II Peter 1:19-ff. The church has evangelists as well. Remember that we all have the command to be bringers of good tiding, Mark 16:14-18, Matt. 28:16-ff., but some seems to have a natural ability to witness. Then God gave the church pastors or shepherds with the job of care giving, Eph. 2:1-10. Lastly, teachers are given to the church to encourage, strengthen, and challenge the church with the Word. Again, we all have the job of teaching the new born Christian, Matt. 28:16-ff. but there are some who just have the grace to teach others effectively. The closing questions are what grace has God given you because we each have a job in His church? Also, are you fulfilling the grace God has given you or are you squandering it?

Text: Ephesians 4:1-6

There is no greater love than that of God for His children. Paul now hits the climax of his letter after reminding the Christians that God knows everything about them and still loves them unconditionally. In the light of that love, Paul has been made a prisoner of Christ. He is captivated by this unexplainable love God has for each and every one of us. What captivates you today? What is it that demands your every thought and desire? For what do you live your life for? Anything apart from Christ and Christ alone will end up empty and in ruin.

Paul then encourages us to walk worthy, vs. 1. We are also told to walk in Col. 1:9-17, I Thess. 2:10-12. The Christian life is a life of action. The church has fallen asleep and look at the world around us. Churches are being attacked and shut down. Satan appears to have the upper hand but stand encouraged and know he does not. We are also told to walk in a fashion that is worthy of God, in other words righteously, Rom. 6:12-19. We are to be Christ to this world.

Paul then maps out some characteristics of a prisoner of the Lord, vs. 2, 3. First, lowliness or humility, Phil. 2:3. Does your life show forth humility? Secondly, meekness or self-control, Ps. 45. Notice that God has a sword and He knows how to use it but it is at His side. Thirdly, a prisoner is long-suffering, I Cor. 13, Ps 86:12-16. We are to love and forgive like Christ. Next, a prisoner loves with an agape or unconditional love, Eph. 5:1, 2; John 3:16. When was the last time you loved someone just to be Christ to them? Lastly, a prisoner is one of peace, Rom. 12:17-ff. Remember, we have the strength of the Lord and need to know how to use the sword but we do everything we can through the peace of the Lord. He is the answer!

Paul then reminds us that we are one body and need to act like it, Rom 12:17-ff., I Cor. 10:14-17. Which part are you? Are you a functioning or a vestigial member? Do you pull your weight through obedience to God or are you a dead weight? Then remember we have one, true God, Duet 6:4, Heb. 13:8. He does not try to trick us for He is one God and He changes not. He is the true God, I Cor. 8:4-6. God so longs to captivate you with His love!