Lakeview Christian Center

Praying with Ephesians

The Infectious Gospel

“of this gospel I was made a minister…” (Eph. 3:7)

-Daily “surveying the wondrous cross” and exulting in God’s plan of redemption (1:3-14)
-The truth and experience of the Gospel to transform:
…Unity in the church, God’s temple and dwelling (2:11-22; 4:1-6)
…Our understanding of “race” and our posture to ethnic groups (3:1-6)
…Roles and gifting in the body (4:11-16)
…New life and growth in holiness and wisdom (4:17-5:21)
…The relationship between wives and husbands (5:22-33)
…Childrearing and children’s response to parents (6:1-4)
…Work ethic and submission to employees (6:5-9)

The Battle of God

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood…” (Eph. 6:12)

-Biblically informed about our enemy (6:12)
-Practice of putting on the “armor of God” (6:11)
…Students of truth and lovers of righteousness (6:14)
…Ready with the Gospel (6:15) and guarded in faith (6:16)
…Looking to God who saves and speaks (6:17)
…Armed with prayer (6:18-19) in the Spirit (5:18)

Word & Spirit

“The Word without the Spirit is pedantic; the Spirit without the Word is chaos” —John Piper

The Sword of the Spirit

“…receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21)

-Unbelievers in our midst to receive new birth by the Word
….“since you have been born again…through the living and abiding word” (1 Peter 1:23)
-Individuals who cherish the written Word & meditate on it day & night (Ps. 1)
-Church that values the preached Word & practices “expositional listening”
-Souls “saved” by the implanted Word & guarded by disciplined reading

The Spirit of the Sword

“While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the Word” (Acts 10:44)

-Spirit making us doers of the Word and not just hearers (James 1:23)
-Spirit using Word to comfort the afflicted & afflict the comfortable
-Spirit-filled lifestyles of godly character, righteous living, and mission mindedness
-Spirit-gifting that exalts Christ (1 Cor. 12:3) & empowers the church (Eph. 4:11)

The New Year

Looking Back: Thanksgiving

“For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God” (2 Cor. 4:15)

-Personal Blessing—What has the Lord done in your life recently?
…Victory over sin and freedom from bondage?
…Sustaining you through seasons of trials?
…Fresh experiences of the presence of His Spirit?
…Financial provision or physical healing?
-Corporate Blessing—What has the Lord done in our church?
…Bringing us into our new building
…Leading many visitors to attend on Sundays the past few months
…Saving soul after soul through Alpha & outreach ministries
…Growing us in the unity of the faith

Looking Forward: Faith

“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another” (John 1:16)

-Experiencing the “year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:19)
-The Men’s Retreat (Jan. 31 – Feb. 1)
…Men rooted in the Word and the discipline of prayer
…Men to experience freedom in categories of besetting sin
…Fathers to receive fresh revelation to lead their families
-Revisioning & renewal for the various ministries of the church:
…Operation Replant, Alpha, & Mercy Ministry
…The Pivot, Youth, and Children’s Ministries
…Covenant Groups & Weekend Services
…PrayerForce & corporate prayer gatherings
-2009 to be a year of Kingdom-minded, self-sacrificing, Gospel-centered, risk-taking growth in LCC for the glory of God

Praying with the Hymns

“God Moves in a Mysterious Way”

“God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform
He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm
Deep in His dark and hidden mines with never failing skill
He fashions all His bright designs and works His sovereign Will”

-A people who characteristically trust God during trials
-Faith in God to accomplish His purpose in His way & timing
-Comfort & joy for those who are currently suffering
“The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower”
-God to interrupt seasons of mourning with merciful intrusions of His presence

“A Mighty Fortress is Our God”

“And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us
We will not fear for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him”

-Display of God’s triumph in overcoming Satan’s tactics
-Committed to the battle of God & guarding ourselves against the Enemy
-Biblically informed about the realm of the demonic & postured accordingly
-Built up in truth & submitted to God in order to resist the Devil (James 4:7)