October 2006: The WHY in Ephesians ~ RYAN ADKINS Preaching

Ephesians 4:1-16

WHY ENCOURAGE?
Introduction
**RYAN’S INTRO???? –possible calling illustration?
**Hebrews 10:24-25 “Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near.”

How do we encourage?
Be humble and gentle (vs2)
Be patient (vs2)
Through unity (vs3-6)
v United in the Holy Spirit
v Bound together with peace
v One body
v Same spirit
v Same future
v One Lord
v One faith
v One baptism
v One God and Father
Through servant leadership (vs11-13)
v Who are they?
v Equip
v Build up
v Unify
v Help them grow up

Conclusion
**We don’t want to answer how to encourage, but WHY ENCOURAGE? (vs1) “So, that we live a life worthy of our calling.”
**What does that life look like? When we encourage our life begins to look like (vs14-16)…
v No longer children (plus details).
v Hold to the truth.
v Become more like Jesus.
v Behave like the true body of Christ.