Sermons by Patrick Rossel
Christ The King
In this powerful passage from Luke 19:28–44, we witness the arrival of Jesus—the true King—as He enters Jerusalem. This moment is both triumphant and tragic—a glimpse of Jesus’ heart for a world that doesn’t recognize its Savior.
God’s Gracious Gifts
God, in His grace, has given each believer unique gifts through Christ—not for personal gain, but for building up the body of Christ in unity and maturity. Ephesians 4:7-16 reminds us that we are all called to grow in faith and work together in love as one body under Christ, our head.
The Power and Ability of God
In Ephesians 3:20-21 Paul details the power and ability of God. He tells us of the extent of God’s power, the objects of God’s power, and the goal of God’s power. As Paul writes to Christians who are discouraged they need to remember that God can do far more than they think or ask. As Christians, we frequently can become discouraged when our prayers aren’t answered as we would like. However, we can trust that God can do far more…
Three Needs of the Church
In Ephesians 3:14-19 we see Paul petitioning the Lord on behalf of the Church. He first asks that the Church be strengthened. This tells us that we need to be strengthened spiritually. We are naturally weak, but Paul is not confused about where the source of strength comes from for the Christian. It comes through the Spirit of the living God. The purpose of this strengthening is so that Christ would further dwell in our hearts. The more Christ dwells in our hearts the more we will love God and others. He then asks that the Lord would cause the saints to know the love of God. God’s love is beyond human comprehension and it takes a work of God for us to grasp and experience it. But when we do – we are transformed by it. This leads to Paul’s final petition that the Church be filled with the fullness of God. In essence, that the Church would be mature like Christ. That’s the end goal of His prayer and should be our goal as Christians. However, it takes the supernatural strength of God to bring this about. So let’s pray to that end!
The Identity, Foundation, and Purpose of The Church
In Ephesians 2:19-22 we see Paul drawing vital conclusions about who we are as the Church. We are citizens of heaven and members of God’s family. In essence, we are the people of God. This is our fundamental identity, not other groups from which we find a sense of identity and belonging. As God’s people, we are built upon the foundation of His Word. And ultimately, the Christ revealed in it. The Church built upon this foundation can’t be shaken. This is important to remember as we live in a post-Christian world that is increasingly hostile to Christianity. Lastly, the Church is the dwelling place of God. We have the privilege of a holy God dwelling with us as His people. This should change how we view ourselves and each other as members of the Church.
Reconciled to God and One Another
In Ephesians 2:11-18 we learn of our previous separation from God, His people, and His covenant promises. However, God has done something marvelous in Christ. He has united those who were near (Jews) and those were far off (Gentiles) to Himself in Christ Jesus. As a result of the cross, Christians now have peace with God and peace with all those who are united to Him by faith. God has created one new unified humanity which is the Church. The unity we have as the body of Christ breaks down any walls and barriers that we commonly find in society. In Christ’s Church people of all different kinds now no longer have separation but instead a shared access to God. This is extremely important to remember as we live in a world that is extremely disunified. There is one answer to that disunity and it is the reconciliation with God and one another that is available through Christ Jesus.
Remember God’s Grace
In Ephesians 2:1-10 we find three helpful things to remember as Christians: our prior state, our salvation by God’s grace, and the good works God has recreated us to walk in. Apart from faith in Christ all mankind finds themselves in a grotesque state. Because of sin they are hopeless and helpless. This is the state we as Christian’s all once found ourselves in. This should cause us to walk in humility because there is only one reason we no longer find ourselves in that state. And that is God’s grace. While we were dead in our trespasses and sins God made us alive together with Christ. He saved us from our prior state along with the wrath we deserved and gave us new life through faith in Christ. This is a gift and should cause us to praise God as we remember His kindness towards us. We should also remember that He has re-created us to walk in the newness of life that He has planned for us. We do this not out of a desire to earn salvation, but because we already have salvation through faith in Christ.
Spiritual Blessings: Inheritance in Christ
In Christ we have become God’s special possession. We exist for Him and His glory. We have become this because God in His sovereignty has predestined us to this end. As a result of knowing the God who controls all things and what He has done for us through the Cross we can trust Him. The more we know of His character and love for us the more we will enjoy him. The more we enjoy Him the more His name will be praised. This is the chief end of man, and this is why he has made us His. To enjoy Him and glorify Him. As a result of being God’s special possession, we have an inheritance to look forward to. He has given us His Spirit as a guarantee of this. Yet, we will ultimately obtain this when He completes his redemption of us and we inherit heaven. There we will fully enjoy God for all of eternity.
Spiritual Blessings: Redemption in Christ
God’s eternal purpose has always been to accomplish redemption. Before the foundation of the world, God the Father planned this. And at the cross, Christ accomplished it. Those who are united to Christ by faith presently have this redemption. This consists of freedom from the guilt of sin and freedom from sin’s mastery. We once were enslaved to sin but have been redeemed through Christ’s blood. This was previously a mystery. But at the cross, it has been revealed. What happened there was the focal point of all history where God sums up all things in Christ. Christians are to praise their Triune God for accomplishing this redemption and walk in light of it.
The Reality That Awaits Those Who Persevere
God’s Word gives us a picture of the New Heaven and New Earth. This is where God will dwell with His people for all of eternity. There the effects of the fall will be done away and the world will be renewed. We can trust this is to come because God who is sovereign over all of history promises it. This is promised to those who persevere and should motivate us to do so.
- 1
- 2