The War of All Wars - Nathan Rages

Ephesians 6:10-18 is the clearest Bible passage on spiritual warfare, viewing the Christian as a soldier in combat.  This first sermon on the passage takes the broad perspective on the great war that has been raging ever since the fall of Satan.   

Practical applications from the War of All Wars:

1. Be alert to the danger that surrounds you.   

2. Take responsibility for yourself as a soldier.

3. Don’t stay on the sidelines.

4. Don’t be surprised when the Christian life gets difficult. 

5. Don’t be surprised at the casualties you see.

6. Anticipate ultimate rest and victory in heaven.

Encouragements from the Torn Curtain - John Dees

Matt 27:51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom... 

This event conveys glorious truths about the significance of Christ's atoning work and the Gospel of our salvation.  Remembering the torn curtain should encourage the faith of *unsaved* people who are coming to Christ as well as the faith of *believers* in areas like prayer, worship, and assurance.

The Church's Role in Social Change - Nathan Rages

Why do the Apostle Paul and the other New Testament writers never command slave owners to release their slaves or call for the abolition of slavery?  What does this tell us about the Church's role in addressing and improving social problems?  What is Christ's priority for the work of His Church *corporately* vs. the "good works" that *individual* believers do?  We explore these questions! 

Eph. 6:9 And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

A Challenge to All Workers - Nathan Rages

Eph. 6:5-8 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 

Exhortations:

1.  Obey your boss consistently and heartily.

2.  Serve Christ *by* serving your boss.

3.  Expect Christ’s rewards.

Likely results:

1.  Assurance of your salvation.

2.  Success in your career.

3.  Opportunities for Christian witness.

The Discipline and Instruction of the Lord - Nathan Rages

Eph. 6:4  "Fathers, ... bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." 

This sermon discusses these two crucial and complementary parenting activities: discipline and instruction.  Both activities must be done "of the Lord", meaning that Christ-centeredness is essential.  Children are forming their understanding of the Lord Jesus and the Christian life from what they're observing in their parents' daily walk with Christ.

Don't Exasperate Your Children - Nathan Rages

Col. 3:21​ Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

Eph. 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger... 

Ways we might exasperate / provoke our children:

1. Too many rules.

2. Inconsistent discipline.

3. Angry discipline.

4. Pressure to achieve.

5. Too little encouragement

6. Suppressing individuality.

7. Overprotection.

8. Violating their privacy.

9. Favoritism.

10. Emotional coldness.

11. Unkind words.

12. Physical abuse.

What then should we do when we fail?

God's Message to Children - Nathan Rages

Eph 6:1-3 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 

This message was preached directly to the children in the congregation, using the following outline: 

Things you must DO:

 1.  Obey your parents. v1

 2.  Honor your parents. v2

Reasons WHY you should do them:

 1. Because it is right. v1

 2. Because you will have a long happy life. v3

 3. Because you love Jesus. v1