Sermons by Brad Mills (Page 2)
The Covenant Code of Conduct-Part 3 (Ephesians 4:30-32)
Friction that Grieves the Spirit (30-31) Paul alludes to another OT passage (Isa 63:9-10). Just as the exodus generation rebelled against God in the wilderness, so Isaiah prophecies that the returning exiles would rebel against God in the future. However, God’s mercy prevails when “he remembered the days of old” (Isa 63:11f). Paul relates that past setting to the future “day of redemption.” Even though they are forgiven in Christ, and the Holy Spirit has sealed them for glory, they are capable of grieving him.…
How the Church Grows Up (Ephesians 4:15-16
1. We Speak the Truth Lovingly (15a) 1. We speak the truth in love to those outside the church (“evangelists” v.11). This makes the body grow wider. We know the Great Commission, but do we carry it out? 2. We speak the truth in love to those inside the church (Eph 4:25). This makes the body grow stronger. Richard Baxter, “If they can see you love them, you can say anything to them.” 3. We receive the truth spoken in love by…
Living for Something Better (Ecclesiastes 7:1-12)
Funerals Are Better Than Birthdays (1-4) 1 We should value our name/reputation over our smell. This seems related to funerals, where we reflect upon the person’s reputation. A good name > the stench of even the best perfume sprayed upon a corpse. 2 Excellent verse for funerals. No one looks forward to going to funerals, but they serve as important reminders of our mortality. Mourning > Feasting: Would you skip Thanksgiving for a funeral? You won’t naturally appreciate funerals more than feasts, but they’re…
The Wind, the Waves, and the Weight of Christ (Ephesians 4:13-14)
I. The Breadth of Maturity (13a) Paul helped establish the church in Ephesus with about a dozen disciples of John (Acts 19:1-7). He preached the gospel in the Jewish synagogue for three months before “reasoning daily” in the hall of Tyrannus for two years (Acts 19:8-10). He healed, cast out demons—and many turned away from magic to the Lord (Acts 19:11-20). The silversmith incited a riot because Paul’s ministry had cut into his idol making business (Acts 19:21-41). Paul was not an…