WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Service is Imperative (Ephesians 4:11-16) Sermon Outline (a blog post for a video sermon for Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on August 2, 2020)

WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Service is Imperative (Ephesians 4:11-16) - August 2, 2020

INTRODUCTION‬

We are the church where service is imperative.

“The question is asked: how can justification take place without the works of the law, even though James says: "Faith without works is dead"? In answer, the apostle distinguishes between the law and faith, the letter and grace. The 'works of the law' are works done without faith and grace, by the law, which forces them to be done through fear or the enticing promise of temporal advantages. But 'works of faith' are those done in the spirit of liberty, purely out of love to God. And they can be done only by those who are justified by faith. An ape can cleverly imitate the actions of humans. But he is not therefore a human. If he became a human, it would undoubtedly be not by vurtue of the works by which he imitated man but by virtue of something else; namely, by an act of God. Then, having been made a human, he would perform the works of humans in proper fashion. Paul does not say that faith is without its characteristic works, but that it justifies without the works of the law. Therefore justification does not require the works of the law; but it does require a living faith, which performs its works.”

Martin Luther

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 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.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:11-16‬ ‭NIV

I. THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE

During the American Revolution a man in civilian clothes rode past a group of soldiers repariing a small defensive barrier. their leader was shouting instructions, but making no attempt to help them. Asked why by the rider, he retorted with great dignity, "Sir, I am a corporal!" The stranger apologized, dismounted, and proceeded to help the exhausted soldiers. The job done, he turned to the corporal and said, "Mr. Corporal, next time you have a job like this and not enough men to do it, go to your commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you again." It was none other than George Washington.

Today in the Word, March 6, 1991

A. Building up the body

B. Unity

1. In faith

2. In the knowledge of the Son of God

C. Become mature

1. Attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ‬‬

II. THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE AND FAITH

"Faith and holiness are inextricably linked. Obeying the commands of God usually involves believing the promises of God." 

J. Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, p. 145

“You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”

‭‭James‬ ‭2:20-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A. Faith is made complete by what we do.

B. People are considered righteous by what they do, not by faith alone.

C. Faith without deeds is dead.

III. THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE FOR WITNESS

In his book “I Surrender,” Patrick Morley writes that the church's integrity problem is in the misconception "that we can add Christ to our lives, but not subtract sin. It is a change in belief without a change in behavior." He goes on to say, "It is revival without reformation, without repentance."

C. Swindoll, John The Baptizer, Bible Study Guide, p. 16

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:14-16‬ ‭NIV‬

A. A light for everyone to see.

B. Our good deeds are our light.

C. Our actions allow others to glorify God.‬

CHALLENGE

On a scale of 1 to 10, how bright is your light? 1 is little light and 10 is as bright as you can get. Write down 3 ways you can do “good deeds” that might brighten your light. Circle one of the three that you will do in the next 2 days.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word. You may want to follow Jesus. You may want to proclaim your faith. You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things). Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.