EPHESIANS OUTLINE #19 of 34

A SPECIAL KIND OF CHURCH (Eph. 3:14-21)

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Paul begins this section by saying, "For this cause"

1. What is the cause which makes him pray?

2. Paul has painted a great picture of the church.

3. The world is fraught with division nation with nation, man with man, even division in our inner life.

B. It is God's design that all of these discordant elements be brought into one. That unity is found in Jesus Christ.

I. That sounds very true and it is. But the question is where do you find Jesus Christ?

2. Sure the oneness is found in Him, but in a practical and understandable way. How can I experience His presence and unity?

3. Paul's thesis has been in the previous chapters of this epistle that Jesus is found and His presence revealed in and through His church.

(Eph 1:20-23, 2:19-22, 3.8-10, 3:21)

II. THE CHURCH THEN HAS A MISSION

A. The church must have a sense of unity among its adherents. (I Cor .14:24-25)

1. Your message as a people is far more powerful than mine. I only articulate what you demonstrate.

2. People can sense when they come into the services of a church, whether people really care or not.

3. Your mission each time the church meets is to demonstrate to any visitor or unbeliever that Jesus really does care because His church cares.

4. That's the very reason for Paul's statement in 1:23, 2:21-22.

B. Second part of the church's mission is to be realized ds we walk out of these doors.

1. The church takes this message of reconciliation to those outside of Jesus Christ.

2. I firmly believe if we can sincerely tell people that we know a place where they are accepted as they are, but at the same time, will find the knowledge and gain the insight into becoming what they really want to be. Those people will seek lis out.

3. If we really believe this church is the vehicle of God's love than why should I hesitate to invite them;

4. We must however make it something more than an invitation to our church.

5. People are fed up with what they know of the church.

6. They want to find a living fellowship-a group of people who realize that they are the temple of God and as such the representative of Jesus Christ. (II Cor.3:3)

7. Unless we demonstrate what Christianity is all about those outside of Christ will never know or appreciate Him.

C. It is for this cause that Paul bows the knee to God.

1. This means more than the fact he is taking a kneeling position-it means he is prostrating himself

2. The ordinary position of prayer for a Jew was standing with arms out stretched with palms upward.

3. Paul's prayer for the church is so intense he forsakes the general position of prayer And literally prostrates himself before God in an agony of entreaty.

4. He addresses the prayer to the Father of Lord Jesus Christ. (14)

III. THERE ARE TWO IDEAS INVOLVED IN FATHERHOOD (14-15)

A. First there is the idea of paternity,

which means fatherhood in the purely physical sense.

1. A man can give life to a person yet abandon that child and never even try to see them.

2. That is 'paternity and not fatherhood.

B. True fatherhood includes an interest in the child. (Feeding & clothing )

I. The desire to commune with Him, and to have a close and intimate relationship with Him.

2. The latter describes the heart of God. God is not only the source of our being (paternity) God is also a father in the sense that He desires our friendship and fellowship.

3. He also provides a loving care toward us. Peter puts it this way; casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.

C. The believers conception of God is that He is just like Jesus.

1. He is kind and loving and merciful as Jesus is.

2. God so loved the world He gave His Son.

3. God lovingly cares for you-doesn't it make sense to respond to Him.

4. We should never forget that we owe our life and breath to God. The book of Acts tells that in God we live and move and have our being.

5. But God is more than the source of our being, He also is the one who has provided a salvation for me that is full and free.

D. As a loving Father, God has a real interest in you.

1. Will you this morning take a real interest in Him.

2. He wants to become your Father , but you have to choose to agree to the relationship.

3. I can't be a Father in all its tender meaning if my Son refuses and rebels against the relationship.

4. I am His Father as the source of His being, but unless he agrees to fellowship with me there can never be a closeness.

5. The Heavenly Father wants to act the part but it is up to you.

6. God is reconciled to us in the death of His Son. (Rom 5:10)

7. Now God says in II Cor.5:20 We pray you that ye be reconciled to God.

I. Will you continue to live according to your own will.

2. IT'S ALL UP TO YOU!!