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Sermon Notes

Date of Sermon: May 10, 2026

Title: Big and Strong

​Main Idea:  As the Body of Christ, let’s all work together to grow in size and strength, so He can attain the full measure of a King.
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Primary Passage:  Ephesians 4:13-16
 
Sermon Outline:

• Introduction
  
  • Ephesians 1:11-14 (ESV)
    
• The goal of our walking in the works the Father has prepared in advance for us to do,
  
  • Ephesians 4:7,12 (ESV)
    
• Is growing to the full measure of adulthood as the Body of Christ;
  
  • Ephesians 4:13 (ESV)
    
• Leaving behind uncoordinated immaturity…
  
  • Ephesians 4:14 (ESV)
    
• For skillful maturity.
  
  • Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV)
    

• For next week’s message: Read and reflect on Ephesians 4:17-24.

​Things to Consider: (Feel free to read Scripture passages that God brings to mind as you work through these questions)

1. What about the sermon challenged, encouraged, or confused you? What, if anything, would you like further clarification on?
2. Share your thoughts on the following quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: "If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."
   
3. In your Christian walk, do you feel more like you are collecting wood and completing assigned tasks and work or like you are longing for the endless immensity of the sea (i.e. our full eternal inheritance in Christ)? Why do you suppose?
   
4. If, as a worker who is helping to build a ship, you knew you would be sailing in that ship yourself and not just sending off some buyer you’ve never met, how do you think that would impact your urgency, quality, and quantity of work you contribute to that ship? What is it that makes you answer the way you did?
   
5. How does the concept of you sailing into eternity on the very “ship” (the Body of Christ) you are helping to build (i.e. grow in size and strength) change your motivation to increase the urgency, quality, and quantity of work you do on it, if at all?
   
6. How would you describe your current enthusiasm for Body-building and what influences that level of enthusiasm?
   
7. Though we know a significant amount about the “ship” (The Church) we are building, we don’t know much about the “sea” (new heaven and earth) we will be “sailing” for eternity. Why do you suppose God didn’t tell us more detail about our eternal inheritance (c.f. Isaiah 65:17–25, Romans 8:18–23, 2 Peter 3:10–13, Revelation 21–22).
   
8. What do you think it could be like? Describe it.
   

As always, feel free to contact Charles if you have questions or concerns regarding the message; its content, meaning, or application to your life. The easiest way to do that is by submitting a Bridge Card at steamboatbiblechurch.com/bridgecard. 
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