The Things Between Us . . .
We wrap up the Book of Ephesians with a message called, "The Things Between Us."
1. Songs #1 & #2 - Mark and Sherry Bell: Be Still My Soul; Day by Day (We resist evil best when we practice stillness and peace within our souls day by day in each moment.)
2. Passage for reflection and meditation: Colossians 1:24-2:3
3. Song #3 - Sharon Caudill: This Is the Day (God’s mercy makes each day the day to begin anew and walk with God.)
4. Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:18-23; 2:6-7; 3:8-12; 6:10-12
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way . . . 2:6 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 . . . 3:8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless 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. 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, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence . . . 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
5. Song #4 - Phil Bena: Fool’s Wisdom (Our intellectual pride and desire to look right is one of the most insidious traps the Devil lays for our souls; only Christlike “foolishness” can save us from ourselves.)
6. Message: The Things Between Us
Acknowledge Your Enemy
Accept the Scenario
Assert Yourself
7. Questions for Contemplation
The sermon mentioned how evil infiltrates authority (the beast), work/economy (the prostitute), and faith (false religion). Which of these are you least likely to view as perverted by evil? What can you learn from that? Which one of these do you see as most perverted by evil? What can you learn from that?
How could you as a Christian, redeem/bring healing to each of these three areas?
What most resonates with you as you consider Scripture passages like the ones in Ephesians that discuss principalities and powers?
In Christ, Conrad