September 15th Recap & Application of Pastor Kevyn’s Sermon Notes: “Paul’s Summary of God’s Will for Creation”
Paul’s Summary of God’s Will for Creation (Ephesians Overview)
This recap will guide you through how to apply each verse and teaching from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians to your daily walk with Jesus.
Life’s Most Important Questions:
Why did God create the world and why me?
Reflect on the fact that God created the world out of love, with the purpose of relationship and blessing. He created you specifically to be in relationship with Him.
Application: Understand that you are created with a divine purpose. In your daily life, seek God’s will for you and know that your existence is intentional.
The world appears to be messed up. What’s God’s Plan?
The book of Ephesians offers insight into God's ultimate plan for redemption, healing, and renewal through Christ.
Actions to Consider: Trust in God’s plan, even when life feels chaotic. Rest in the knowledge that God is working behind the scenes to bring restoration.
Ephesians Overview:
Ephesians 1:1-14 – How the Father, Son, and Spirit heal creation
Actions to Consider: Through the Trinity, God is healing creation, including your personal life. Praise Him for the blessings you’ve received in Christ, and live in the assurance of God’s continuous work to restore what’s broken in the world.
Ephesians 1:15-23 – Paul’s prayer for our growth in depth of understanding
Actions to Consider: Pray for a deeper understanding of God’s wisdom and revelation. Daily, seek to grow in knowledge and insight into God’s purposes for your life and the world.
Ephesians 2:1-10 – How God’s work changes my life personally
Actions to Consider: God has transformed you by His grace. Live with the awareness that you were once dead in sin, but through Jesus, you are made alive. Let this new identity guide your actions and decisions.
Ephesians 2:11-22 – How God’s work changes my relationships
Actions to Consider: As Christ reconciled you to God, He also calls you to be reconciled with others. Strive for peace, unity, and love in all your relationships, reflecting the grace you’ve received from God.
Ephesians 3 – Why Paul knows God’s will so precisely
Actions to Consider: Follow Paul’s example in seeking God’s will through prayer and revelation. Commit to understanding God’s plan for your life by immersing yourself in His Word.
Ephesians 4-6 – How we are now supposed to live life
Actions to Consider: These chapters provide a roadmap for living a life that honors God. Pay close attention to how you can live a life of humility, love, service, and integrity in your daily walk.
Key Teachings and Applications
God Designed Life to Bless Us (Ephesians 1:1-6)
Ephesians 1:1 – “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.”
Actions to Consider: Like Paul, recognize that you have been called by God for a purpose. Live with a sense of mission and responsibility in your faith.
Ephesians 1:2 – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Actions to Consider: Embrace grace and peace as your greatest needs in life. Each day, rely on the grace of God and live in the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Ephesians 1:3 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
Actions to Consider: Make praise a daily practice. Take time to thank God for the spiritual blessings you have in Christ—eternal life, forgiveness, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:4-5 – “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.”
Actions to Consider: Live each day knowing that you are chosen and loved by God. Strive to live a holy and blameless life, reflecting God’s nature in your actions and choices.
Ephesians 1:6 – “To the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.”
Actions to Consider: Praise God continually for His grace. Recognize that everything you have—salvation, love, peace—is a result of His gracious gift through Jesus.
What We Know About God the Father:
God designed the world for a relationship with people who love Him and desire to please Him.
Actions to Consider: Cultivate your relationship with God by spending time in prayer and scripture. Make it a goal to live in a way that pleases Him daily.
God’s commitment to us in a world damaged by sin is to give us grace and peace.
Actions to Consider: In moments of stress, disappointment, or fear, remind yourself that God’s grace and peace are always available to you. Lean into them instead of relying on your own strength.
God has a definitive plan for our future despite the challenges we face.
Actions to Consider: Trust in God’s future for you, even when things seem uncertain. Keep your hope anchored in His promises, knowing that He is working everything out for your good.
PK’s Encouragement:
Knowing the book of Ephesians will give you a deeper understanding of the entire Bible and how to live a life that honors God.
Actions to Consider: Make it a priority to study Ephesians deeply. As you grow in your understanding of this book, apply its teachings in practical ways—loving others, living with integrity, and trusting in God’s plan for your life.
This also means you will understand everything the Messiah, Jesus, taught about God and what He accomplished.
Final Application: Let Jesus be your guide in all things. As you learn more about His teachings, let them shape your actions, decisions, and worldview. He is the key to understanding God’s heart and purpose for your life.