November 4, 2018
This is our ninth week in the book of Ephesians at Park Church. As our society continues its trend toward self-centered and superficial worldviews, many have adopted a watered-down view of God that that leads us away from the glory we were made to enjoy. Ephesians shatters this diluted view of God by putting the weight of His glory in our faces in a way that is overwhelming and life-transforming.
Here’s how you can prepare for Sunday:
1. Read through our text, Ephesians 4:17–32.
Paul carries the imagery of the Christian family as the body of Christ into the next section where he explains that Christians exist in the world as a representation of the love of Jesus. Before experiencing the life and love of Jesus, people are darkened in their minds and bent in their desires. But those who have been made alive with Christ are being renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit to represent the image of Christ in the world as a new humanity. He compares the old way of life to an old set of clothes that need to be taken off and replaced by the new clothes of a new life. The love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit must move Christians to take off destructive desires and actions that mark the old way of life—lying, anger, theft, hurtful words, bitterness, promiscuity, and drunkenness. These are to be displaced by a spirit-empowered love for others that is marked by honesty, peace, faithful work, generosity, encouragement, forgiveness, self-control, and a sensitivity to God’s Spirit.
2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:
CALL TO WORSHIP: Based on Ephesians 3:18–19, Welcome (From Immanuel Nashville):
O God, by Your power may we, with all the saints, comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that we may be filled with your fullness. Amen.
—
To all who are weary and need rest,
To all who mourn and long for comfort,
To all who feel worthless and wonder if God cares,
To all who fail and desire strength,
To all who sin and need a Savior,
This church opens wide her doors
with a welcome from Jesus Christ,
the Ally of His enemies, the Defender of the guilty,
the Justifier of the inexcusable, the Friend of sinners.
Welcome!
Grace Alone (Dustin Kensrue)
Come Thou Fount (Robert Robinson, John Wyeth)
CONFESSION OF SIN: Based on the Heidelberg Catechism, Questions 88–90:
Genuine repentance involves two things:
the dying-away of the old self and the coming-to-life of the new. The dying-away of the old self is to be genuinely sorry for sin, to hate it more and more, and to run away from it. The coming-to-life of the new self is wholehearted joy in God through Christ and a delight to do every kind of good as God wants us to. Together, as Christ’s body, we now confess our sin and express our longing to live in joyful obedience to God.
In Tenderness (Garvey, Gordon, Walton arr. Brian Eichelberger)
Jesus Is Better (Aaron Ivey, Brett Land)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: 2 Corinthians 5:17–19
GREETING, SERMON, & COMMUNION
RESPONSE: Song & Prayer
Honest Work (James Craig Hartz Jr.)
Give Us Clean Hands (Charlie Hall)