I. The Mission: (vs. 10)

a. What is it?
To display God’s wisdom.

b. To whom?
Forces of evil.

c. What is the wisdom?
The church working out God’s plan.

II. How we are to accomplish the mission:

a. Administering grace. (vs. 2, 7)

b. Accepting hardship. (vs. 1, 13)

c. Adopting unity. (vs. 6)

I. What Drives Paul to His Knees …
    His longing for his readers to know God’s love .  (vs. 17-19)

    Why?

"If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died."  2 Cor. 5:13-14

    The knowledge of God’s power. (vs. 20)

III. The Obstacles Which Prevent Us from Experiencing More of the Spirit’s Power:
    Image and Initiative.

I.  God's Desire for the Christian Walk is Unity.  (vs. 1-6)

    A.  The worthy walk has a destiny.  (vs. 1)

    B.  The worthy walk has the right attitude and actions.  (vs. 2-3)

    C.  The worthy walk has one God, one Lord, and one Spirit.  (vs. 4-6)

II.  God's Guide for Christian Service is the Spirit's Gift.  (vs. 7-10)

III.  God's Goal for the Christian Life is Maturity.  (vs. 11-16)

    A.  God's purpose for spiritually gifted people is growth.  (vs. 11-14)

    B.  God's means for growth is the proper function of each member.  (vs. 15-16)

I. The Mandate:
 
    Do not live as the Americans do.  (vs. 17)

Their lives –  futile  (vs. 17)

Their hearts – hardened  (vs. 18)

Their minds – darkened  (vs. 18)

    Putting off the old; putting on the new (vs. 22, 24)
 
    Col. 3: 8-9, 12; Matt. 22: 1-14
 

    Why don’t we do this:

1) We think we have to create the new.

2) We like the old.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."  Col. 3: 2-3