"Who Are We?" - Preaching at Harderwyk - Ephesians 2:1-10 - October 17, 2021

Resources For "Who Are We? - The Vision Series" From Each Harderwyk Preacher

I. New For This Week

Growing My Faith in the Face of Death - I spent a lifetime counseling others before my diagnosis. Will I be able to take my own advice? writes Tim Keller.  CLICK HERE to view his story of how God is Forming his life even as he receives a deathly diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Celebration Sermon Outline - CLICK HERE for this Sunday's Sermon Outline.

II. From The Commentaries On This Passage

From Darrell Bock in his commentary on Ephesians (Tyndale New Testament Commentary)

Writing on Ephesians 2:10: “The emphasis in the Greek word order at the start of the verse is literally, ‘His creation we are.’ ‘His creation’ is thrown forward to highlight that we are God’s work. In fact, believers are a creative product of the power of God. The term used, poiēma, often refers to God’s act in creating (Pss 64:9; 92:4; Rom. 1:20). There is often a note about something satisfying about what has been made, or something that should be appreciated about it. Paul elsewhere speaks of our being a ‘new creation’ (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15; ‘new man’ in Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10, translated as ‘new self’ in niv, nrsv and esv). This is another way to say we are born again; we have a spiritually infused life that has a capability it previously lacked.”

From NT Wright in Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters

Writing on Ephesians 4:17-24:  “So what Paul is urging the young Christians is that they allow this teaching of Jesus to have its full effect in their lives. Now that they are ‘in Christ’, they have the responsibility, in the power of the spirit, to take off the old lifestyle, the old way of being human, like someone stripping off a shabby and worn suit of clothing. It may have become comfortable. You may be used to it, and even quite like it. Familiar old clothes are often like that, and brand new ones often feel a bit strange. But if you want to live as a new person in and for the king, the old suit of clothes has to come off, and the new one has to go on.

The point, then, is not to be deceived by what lust and greed whisper in your ear. It’s the mind and heart that matter. If they learn to recognize the deceitful whisperings, to name them and reject them, the first vital step to the new way of life has been taken. ‘Be renewed in the spirit of your mind’ (verse 23): that’s the secret. If the heart is right, it’s time to get the mind right. Then you’ll have the energy of will-power to bring the behaviour into line. Off with the old, on with the new!”

Writing on Ephesians 5:11-20:  “Singing, whether aloud or in your heart, was, he thought, an excellent way of actually practising the faith. If you don’t want your garden to grow weeds, one of the best ways is to keep it well stocked with strong, sturdy flowers and shrubs. If you don’t want your mind and heart to go wandering off into the realms of darkness, one of the best ways is to keep them well stocked with wise and thankful themes, so that words of comfort, guidance and good judgment come bubbling up unbidden from the memory and subconscious.”

III. Ongoing Resources

1) Spiritual Formation Resources Page - CLICK HERE - This is still a work in progress, but be a part as we look to build

2) Scotty Smith’s Heavenward Daily Prayers - CLICK HERE - to see the daily prayer blog of Scotty Smith.  You will see an option to have them delivered to your email inbox each day as well.  

3) Simple Lectio Divina Overview - CLICK HERE - for a simple introduction of the spiritual practice of a more personal way of experience the Word through contemplation and reflection.