The Doctrine of The Church

Background from the NT: Ephesians 1 - 3

A. God's Sovereignty (chapter 1)

1.                  He blessed us -- in the fullness of Christ (v 3)

2.                  He chose us -- for His glory (v 4-6)

3.                  He forgives us -- by His grace (v 7-8)

4.                  He gathers us -- according to His plan (v 9-12)

5.                  He seals us -- with His Spirit (v 13-14)

6.                  He matures us -- by the example of Christ (v 17-20)

7.                  He points us to Christ -- the Head of the Church (v 21-23)

B. God's Grace (chapter 2)

1.                  It brings us from death into life (v 1-6)

2.                  It is completely unearned (v 7-10)

a)                  To show his kindness through Jesus

b)                  To prevent our own boasting

c)                  To bring out OUR kindness and good works to others

3.                  It unites us (believers, the Church) into a common family (v 11-12)

4.                  It restores us to Him (v 13-18)

a)                  By giving us real Peace

b)                  By removing the obstacle of sin through Christ

c)                  By providing His Spirit

5.                  It uses us to build His Temple with Christ as the Cornerstone (v 19-22)

C. God's Purpose (chapter 3)

1.                  Is mysterious and unfolding -- salvation of Gentiles (v 1-4)

2.                  Is revealed by His Spirit (v 5-9)

3.                  Has always been about Christ (v 10-12)

    a)                  IN WHOM we have access to God

D. A Prayer that Preaches (3:14-21)

1.                  For strength for the "Inner Man" (v 16)

2.                  That Christ would dwell in us by Faith (v 17)

3.                  That we would understand His nature (v 18-19)

4.                  So that God receives all the glory (v 20-21)

Putting Doctrine into Practice

Background from the NT: Ephesians 4 - 6

A. A Call to Regeneration (chapter 4)

1.                  By demonstrating the nature of Christ (v 1 - 6)

2.                  By living out the Grace that we've been given (v 7 - 13)

3.                  By growing up in Christ (v 14 - 16)

4.                  By putting away personal corruption (v 17 - 32)

B. A Call to Holiness (chapter 5)

1.                  Through sincere Love (v 1 - 2)

2.                  Through separation from worldliness (v 3 - 7)

3.                  Through the Light of the Holy Spirit (v 8 - 18)

4.                  Through thanks and praise (v 19 - 20)

5.                  Through a submissive, loving attitude (v 21 - 33)

a)                  Wives' submission to husbands

b)                  Husbands' submission to wives

c)                  Christ's submission to the Father

C. A Call to Obedience (chapter 6)

1.                  By honoring our parents, and God (v 1 - 4)

a)                  Parents honor God through respect toward their children

2.                  By honoring our "masters", and God (v 5 - 9)

a)                  Masters honor God through respect toward their workers

3.                  By resisting Evil (v 10 - 18)

a)                  Through the whole armor of God

b)                  Standing in Truth and Righteousness

c)                  Walking in Peace

d)                  Protected by Faith and the Scriptures

e)                  Advancing under the cover of Prayer

The Doctrine of The Church

A. God's Sovereignty (chapter 1)

1. He blessed us -- in the fullness of Christ (v 3)

2. He chose us -- for His glory (v 4-6)

3. He forgives us -- by His grace (v 7-8)

4. He gathers us -- according to His plan (v 9-12)

5. He seals us -- with His Spirit (v 13-14)

6. He matures us -- by the example of Christ (v 17-20)

7. He points us to Christ -- the Head of the Church (v 21-23)

B. God's Grace (chapter 2)

1. It brings us from death into life (v 1-6)

2. It is completely unearned (v 7-10)

a) To show his kindness through Jesus

b) To prevent our own boasting

c) To bring out OUR kindness and good works to others

3. It unites us (believers, the Church) into a common family (v 11-12)

4. It restores us to Him (v 13-18)

a) By giving us real Peace

b) By removing the obstacle of sin through Christ

c) By providing His Spirit

5. It uses us to build His Temple with Christ as the Cornerstone (v 19-22)

C. God's Purpose (chapter 3)

1. Is mysterious and unfolding -- salvation of Gentiles (v 1-4)

2. Is revealed by His Spirit (v 5-9)

3. Has always been about Christ (v 10-12)

a) IN WHOM we have access to God

D. A Prayer that Preaches (3:14-21)

1. For strength for the "Inner Man" (v 16)

2. That Christ would dwell in us by Faith (v 17)

3. That we would understand His nature (v 18-19)

4. So that God receives all the glory (v 20-21)

Putting Doctrine into Practice

A. A Call to Regeneration (chapter 4)

1. By demonstrating the nature of Christ (v 1 - 6)

2. By living out the Grace that we've been given (v 7 - 13)

3. By growing up in Christ (v 14 - 16)

4. By putting away personal corruption (v 17 - 32)

B. A Call to Holiness (chapter 5)

1. Through sincere Love (v 1 - 2)

2. Through separation from worldliness (v 3 - 7)

3. Through the Light of the Holy Spirit (v 8 - 18)

4. Through thanks and praise (v 19 - 20)

5. Through a submissive, loving attitude (v 21 - 33)

a) Wives' submission to husbands

b) Husbands' submission to wives

c) Christ's submission to the Father

C. A Call to Obedience (chapter 6)

1. By honoring our parents, and God (v 1 - 4)

a) Parents honor God through respect toward their children

2. By honoring our "masters", and God (v 5 - 9)

a) Masters honor God through respect toward their workers

3. By resisting Evil (v 10 - 18)

a) Through the whole armor of God

b) Standing in Truth and Righteousness

c) Walking in Peace

d) Protected by Faith and the Scriptures

e) Advancing under the cover of Prayer

D. Paul's personal requests (6:19 - 24)