LGC - Rooted & Fruitful Part 4

Rooted & Fruitful (Part 4)

Speaker: Woon Hin Swee

INTRODUCTION

In our series on the book of Ephesians, “Rooted and Fruitful”, we have been looking at our identity in Christ and the purposes for which He has made us. In the fourth part of the series, we now turn to Ephesians 1:11-14 and look at God’s strategy for success in using us to achieve His purposes. What has God done to ensure that His plans come to pass, using us as His instruments? As we read Ephesians 1:11-14, we discover how God has tilted the playing field in our favour, to ensure our success in achieving His purposes. In short, we are “sealed for the win” with the Holy Spirit.

DISCUSSION

Can you share a time when you’ve had power and authority delegated to you by someone in a higher position? How did knowing that this authority was delegated to you impact the way you behaved?
Read Ephesians 1:12. Our purpose is to be the praise of God’s glory. Read Romans 8:29. As we become conformed to the image of his Son, we bring praise to God’s glory.

How do you see this working out in practical terms? In what ways do you bring praise to God?
Read Ephesians 1:13. We are marked with the Seal of the Holy Spirit.

a. Read Romans 8:9. If we are in Christ, we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we are not His. How can this verse comfort someone questioning their salvation?

b. Being sealed with the Holy Spirit means we are sealed with God’s authenticity, authority and power. What does it mean to you:

(i) To have the seal of the Holy Spirit as proof of your authenticity as a child of God?

(ii) To hold the authority of Christ by the seal of the Holy Spirit?

(iii) To hold the power of Christ by the seal of the Holy Spirit?
Read Ephesians 1:14 and 2 Corinthians 5:5. The deposit of the Holy Spirit guarantees our inheritance in Christ. The “deposit” is a down payment in kind that guarantees the full sum will be delivered as promised. Thus, the Holy Spirit is the down payment, or deposit, that God will keep His Word and give us the promised blessings that are found in Scripture. This includes the future inheritance promised, the full bounty of life and kingdom of God.

How does knowledge of this shape:
a. Decisions that you make in life now
b. Your perception of eternity (read also John 17:1-3, Romans 6:22)
Read Ephesians 4:30-31. We grieve the Holy Spirit when we ignore Him, and His work becomes obscured in our lives.

a. In what areas of your life are you neglecting the Holy Spirit’s guidance? Take some time to read Galatians 5:16-23 and ask the Lord to reveal areas of your life you may be grieving the Holy Spirit.

b. Take time to pray for your fellow group members as you seek to pursue God wholeheartedly and be led by the Holy Spirit.

WHAT WILL YOU DO

When we read 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, Galatians 5:16-17 and Galatians 5:22-24, we discover that our rootedness and fruitfulness come from the Holy Spirit. How does this happen? We need to make room for the Holy Spirit in our hearts, humbling ourselves and allowing Him to teach us all things. Let’s also make room for the Holy Spirit in our schedules: making time to pray with Him and time for the Great Commission, as the Holy Spirit longs to draw people to Jesus. As we surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit, He will use us to accomplish God’s purposes on earth!

MEMORY VERSE

“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” – Romans 8:9 (NIV)