Ephesians: Awake O Sleeper!

Awake O Sleeper!

Scott Axtmann

Ephesians 5:11-14

Many Christians are asleep in the light. They take part in the “unfruitful works of darkness” but, because they are sleeping, are unaware or unconcerned. Because they live like the world they cannot expose the darkness of the world; darkness cannot illuminate darkness. They have no burning and shining light in them that draws people to God. This message is a wake-up call to the sleeper. It’s a call to arise and be the light of the world! We are called to be different from the world, to boldly expose the sins of our generation and to reflect Jesus Christ, so that those in darkness will be reconciled to God.

Ephesians: Pleasing God

Pleasing God

Scott Axtmann

Ephesians 5:10

Since the beginning of the story of humans there has always been a concern to please or appease the Creator. You find it in virtually every culture in every generation. The ideas of what pleases God are profoundly diverse and conflicting. The God revealed in the Bible doesn’t want us to merely guess what pleases Him but wants us to be sure. The Scriptures reveal clearly what pleases God and what does not. This message not only reminds us that God has made it clear but also explores what kind of heart pleases the Lord. 

Ephesians: Sin and Wrath

Sin and Wrath

Scott Axtmann

Ephesians 5:5-9 

From every direction, the world attempts to bring us into agreement with its way of viewing things. We are told that things the Bible defines as sin are not sin. What people of God have called sin for thousands of years is now denied or downplayed, and in some cases, celebrated. In these verses, God is urging us through the apostle to not be deceived by empty words. The Scriptures not only condemn much of what is considered normal and natural to practice in society—sex before marriage, homosexuality, bisexuality, lusting in the heart, filthy talk, and so on—but God says that “because of these things the wrath of God comes”. We live in a day when good is called evil and evil is called good. Few people seem to realize that there are consequences for sin beyond the grave. This message is essentially about the importance of seeing the seriousness and sinfulness of sin so we do not casually or ignorantly partner with it. 

Ephesians: New Language

New Language

Scott Axtmann

Ephesians 5:4

God is calling us to a different standard even in our casual conversations with one another. So much conversation in locker rooms, at lunch tables, in the break room at work, at social gatherings, and so on, is considered by God to be filthy, foolish or crude. Not only should we never initiate this kind of talk, we should not partner with it. This requires wisdom and will inevitably put a strain on relationships. In contrast to this unsavory language, the Christian should be filled with the new language of thankfulness. This teaching defines the sort of language we should avoid as followers of Jesus and how a new language of gratitude is formed.

Ephesians: Sexual Purity

Sexual Purity

Scott Axtmann

Ephesians 5:3 

We live in a generation with unprecedented sexual temptation. Inappropriate content is not only easy to find but it aggressively finds us. It comes at us from every direction. As a result, many of God’s people have fallen into deep dark struggles. Some carry a burden of bondage and guilt daily. The Christian sexual ethic stands in stark contrast to what is generally acceptable in society. The standard of purity that God intends for His people goes way beyond just outward abstinence. As new creatures in Christ a whole new way of thinking emerges. The mind is renewed and people we may be physically attracted to are no longer viewed lustfully as objects but, rather, with honor as people made in God’s image. Sex is good. It is designed by God to deepen intimacy between a man and woman in the covenant of marriage. It is holy and not to be trifled with or cheapened. This message is a clear call to sexual purity with practical instructions on how to live pure in a sex-crazed society.

Standalone Sermons: Revival or Survival?

Revival or Survival?

Scott Axtmann

This message is not so much of a sermon or teaching but is what I call a pastoral talk. There is a prophetic element to the talk, as well. In other words, there's a strong sense that this is a timely word from the Lord for the Church. The message was birthed out of an unshakable burden I've carried during this pandemic over countless believers who are drifting away from the Lord. The enemy of the Church (Satan) is taking advantage of the pandemic to push God's people into addictions, doubts, discouragement, fear and other snares. The message is intended to be call to the Church to stand firm. And also a call to pray for our dear brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling. 

Ephesians: Forgiving Each Other

Forgiving Each Other

Mark Skillin

Ephesians 4:32

Remembering our God’s great works of the past enables us to trust God for tomorrow so that we may be faithful to our Lord today. The Lord calls us to be faithful daily by forgiving others as we have been forgiven.

Ephesians: Replacing Hate With Love

Replacing Hate With Love

Scott Axtmann

Ephesians 4:31

Since the first batch of humans were made, there have always been tensions between people. To be human is to experience being hurt, being slighted, being wronged by people. It’s also very natural as humans to respond to certain people with anger. It’s easy for us to become bitter and even malicious. The Christian faith, however, teaches us to do the opposite. The first part of this message shows what each of these words are: bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice. Because the verse urges us to put all these away, the last part of the message talks about the importance of continual renewal of the heart and fresh infillings of God’s love. 

Ephesians: Grieving the Spirit

Grieving the Spirit

Scott Axtmann

Ephesians 4:30 

I probably say this too frequently but this message is one of the most important to understand. It’s on just one single verse—“do not grieve the Holy Spirit”. Most Christians have heard the verse, and it’s sometimes used to really bang Christians over the head. But the meaning is so much deeper than “hey, you better behave or you’ll tick off the Almighty”. It’s really about love and, specifically, this love relationship we have with God that is the supreme motivation for doing right. We all struggle at times to find within ourselves the motivation to resist sin, to love others, to forgive, to do the right thing. This message will open up a fountain of revelation to put within you a deep and abiding motivation to do what is pleasing to the heart of God.

Ephesians: Power of Words

Ephesians: Power of Words

Scott Axtmann

Ephesians 4:29

This message is intended to help us understand the power of the words we speak. Every single day we speak things to people around us, and our words can be a fountain of life. They can be refreshing and grace-filled. Our words can be Gospel-saturated, Holy Spirit-drenched words. Words aptly spoken, tailor-fit gems that enrich the soul. This message is a reminder that we are representing God with our words everywhere we go. Our whole lives speak. We are, in fact, called “living epistles”, living animated letters speaking important things to the world. Let our words be kind and gracious, wise and compassionate. Let us not speak unhelpful words or words that confuse or words that hurt. May our words heal and build; may they advance the kingdom of God in our generation.