Edgewater Christian Fellowship

In this sermon, we explored Paul's use of exaggerated contrast in Ephesians 4:17-24 to highlight the difference between the old life without Christ and the new life in Him. Using vivid examples from both Scripture and everyday life, we saw how futile thinking, darkened understanding, and a hardened heart lead to spiritual emptiness and disconnection from God. The sermon emphasized that the world's attempts to fill the void—through pleasure, achievement, or self-justification—are ultimately futile because we are created for communion with God. The only hope is to “put on” the new self, which comes through learning Christ, embracing His truth, and daily choosing to live out our new identity. The message closed with practical encouragement to feed our spirits with God's truth, reject the junk of the old life, and walk in the freedom and transformation Jesus offers.

SUMMARY: In this sermon, we explored Ephesians 4:12-16 and the central theme of maturity within the church. We began by asking why unity, diversity, and theology matter, and discovered that the answer is maturity—growing up together as the body of Christ. Maturity is not just about personal growth but about being equipped, building up others, and engaging in the real “game” of faith outside the church walls. We discussed the importance of being knowledgeable about Jesus, developing stability in our faith, and ensuring that every member is both connected and contributing. The ultimate goal is a church where each person finds their place, serves with purpose, and grows together into the fullness of Christ.

In this sermon on Ephesians 4:7-11, we explored the theme of unity and diversity within the body of Christ. While the church is one body, we are not all the same part—God has given each believer unique gifts to serve and build up the church. We discussed the importance of embracing the gifts God has given us, rather than wishing for different ones or doubting we have any at all. The passage also points to Jesus as our victorious King, who has defeated the powers of darkness and now distributes gifts to His people. We looked at the specific roles mentioned in Ephesians—apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers—unpacking what each means and how they function in the church today. The call is to discover, develop, and use our gifts, not by waiting for perfection, but by stepping out, trying, and learning as we go.

The second half of Ephesians builds on what God has done for us through the work of Jesus Christ and lays out the right response to His grace and goodness. We are instructed to “walk worthy” in light of all we have been given.

Paul Prays. It is brilliant. Our hope is this prayer provokes us to follow his example and pray.

In chapter three, Paul the author, pauses to give a snapshot of his life and current conditions to his readers. In this text we get a window into the mind and heart of one of the most influential leaders in world history and an example of a sold out believer for Jesus. 

In chapter three, Paul the author, pauses to give a snapshot of his life and current conditions to his readers. In this text we get a window into the mind and heart of one of the most influential leaders in world history and an example of a sold out believer for Jesus.

Jesus came to build the Church, a community united around Him and His work on our behalf. The text of Ephesians 2:11-22 reminds us of our state before Jesus and now the manifold blessings of being part of the Household of God through the Cross.

Ephesians 2:10 declares that we are God's workmanship—His “poiema,”. And God has works for each of us to walk out before we join Him in eternity. These works are good, planned by God, and they are life giving activities we can miss out on.

After the lights go out in Ephesians 2:1-3, exposing the three big problems in the universe, we find two glorious words – but God. In verse four the lights are back on and we see God's ways and God's work to rescue the broken world.

Ephesians One was a brilliant overview of God's plan, salvation and our eventual destiny with Jesus Christ. Chapter Two is a reminder of the miry clay we have all been rescued from. While dark, it is vital for the believer to never lose sight of our own desperate rescue or church becomes an exclusive club instead of a hospital to meet the Great Physician.

Christ died for our sins and was raised on the third day; Paul would say this declaration is the most important thing you could ever do. More important than anything you have or anything you could be. Today, let's examine what Jesus has done and praise Him for conquering the grave.

A brilliantly simple section of Scripture that tells us the Gospel saves and seals us with the Holy Spirit when we hear and believe. However, this same section of Scripture has been complicated by 2000 years of theology; we attempt to bring clarity and comfort from these words.

Everyone asks at some time, if God created everything who created God? These are fundamental questions that often get asked by children when they are young. Dr. Ross explains using the space time continuum to demonstrate that God, the triune Creator, must transcend the created universe.

Some people have “miracle” testimonies and it can make the rest of us feel like we don't have a testimony. Paul corrects this by theologically telling us what happens when anyone believes in Jesus Christ.

We have a lens that interprets all that we hear and read. Scripture has a lens over it from 400 years of theological battles and 200 years of American culture. These two can distort what Scripture actually says. In this text we look at the Bible's Greatest Hit and if we hear this song Scripture sounds amazing.

Ephesians is brilliant. It is the revelation or uncovering of the master plan of Jesus to unite heaven and earth, Jews and Gentiles, for a lasting mission of good works. The themes of Ephesians of adoption, heirs with Jesus, Spirit, resurrection power and so many more enlighten the believer's faith and equip them for every good work.

Paul spends a third of this epistle not on prophecy but on people. The reason: there is nothing harder or more important than people. All of us need biblical guidance on dealing with the community that surrounds us. In this section Paul gives us our marching orders as saints.

After discussing two difficult subjects of hell and the Antichrist, Paul offers a practical guide to staying strong in the face of intense persecution.

Navy Seal, Chad Williams shared his journey to Christ through his time in the military. He parallels Naaman's deliverance from leprosy to his journey to Christ.

Matthew 3-4 tells us the story of Jesus getting baptized then Jesus being led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. The main point of these stories is to remind believers that we are at war. There is a real enemy; if there is a real enemy, it helps to be mindful of the typical weapons of the enemy as well as practical methods of fighting back against the evil in the world.

2 Thessalonians charges out of the gate by discussing two of the scariest subjects in Scripture: hell and the antichrist. Both of these frightening subjects carry a message of hope for the church experiencing a sampling of hell and antichrist-like figures.

In a book about hope, why would the first subject be God's judgment in sending people to hell? In this text we learn about evidence of God's righteous judgments that will bring hope to every believer.

The thriving model church at Thessalonica has lost hope and the Apostle Paul pens his second letter to both theologically and practically reignite the hope they had in King Jesus.

It's not difficult to find conflict in this world. But the greatest conflict in the world today is the battle for our minds. The good news is God can reframe our mind for spiritual success.