AM Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3.14-19

This Morning’s Sermon:

Brent T. Willey

AT HOME IN OUR HEARTS

Ephesians 3.17

Introduction:

1. Paul’s earnest prayer for the Ephesian brethren was “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Read Eph. 3.14-19).
2. “Dwell” is from the oikeō [oi)ke/w] family; literally, “to occupy a house, i.e., reside; by implication to cohabit” (Strong). Katoikeō [katoike/w] is the most frequent verb and properly means “to settle down in a dwelling” (Vine), or as Strong notes: “to house permanently, i.e., reside.”
3. Kenneth Wuest’s translation: “That Christ may finally settle down and feel completely at home in your hearts.”
4. Does Christ feel at home in our hearts?

I. LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO STAY

1. There are places where Christ will not reside. (1 John 1.5-7)
2. Our Lord desires to live in the heart of a penitent sinner saved by His loving grace.
3. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock . . .” (Rev. 3.20).
   1. Is the “Spirit of Christ” in you? (Rom. 8.9)
   2. Is Christ living in you? (Gal. 2.20)
   3. Does Christ feel at home in your heart?

II. THE ISSUES OF THE HEART

1. Love or Hate (Eph. 3.17; 1 John 2.9-11; 3.15)
2. Kindness or Bitterness (Col. 3.12-14; Eph. 4.31-32)
3. Patience or Anger (Eph. 4.1-3, 26-27; Rom. 12.19-21)
4. Purity or Corruption (Matt. 5.8; 2 Tim. 2.22; Titus 1.15)
5. Humility or Arrogance (Prov. 8.13; Phil. 2.3-4)
6. Forgiveness or Unmerciful (Matt. 6.14-15; Luke 17.3-5)

Conclusion: Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14.23).