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Text: Psalm 13
As we approach Resurrection Sunday, we will step away from Ephesians to address biblical laments. Just as the rain falls on the just and the unjust, so too God’s people experience plagues, pestilences, and various tribulations. God always invites us to cast our burdens upon Him, because He cares for us. We will examine the prayers of the saints of old in the context of our Christian hope; our heavenly inheritance - the basis of which we celebrate on Resurrection Sunday.
Ephesians series message 22
Text: Ephesians 4:2-6
A key aspect of walking in a manner worthy of our calling is to promote unity within the body of Christ through honoring and supporting others in all that we say and do. That's our focus this Sunday! It's not always easy and sometimes it's downright difficult but, particularly during these uncertain times, it's absolutely crucial.
Ephesians series message 21
Text: Ephesians 4:1
One word this Sunday: walk. We used to walk according to the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air. Now everything's different. We've been redeemed and God's Spirit lives in us. Now, we are to walk the opposite direction, in a manner worthy of our calling to eternal glory in Christ Jesus. Moment by moment, we need to learn to walk by the Spirit in each and every situation! In our current Covid-19 reality, how would we think and act differently, knowing that we are called to glory! Remember, Paul just literally reminded us that God is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work in us!
Ephesians series message 20
Text: Ephesians 3:20-21
Blessed with every spiritual blessing, chosen in eternity, redeemed by the Son, indwelt by the Spirit, and gifted a heavenly inheritance. The unsearchable riches of Christ and God's love beyond comprehension: what is the logical conclusion to it all for the Ephesians? God is awesome, and able to do far more than we ask or imagine! Stop putting God in a box. Walk by the Spirit and don't be afraid to ask and expect great things of God!
Ephesians series message 19
Text: Ephesians 3:17-19
Paul is preparing us well to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. He's shown us the towering grandeur of our heavenly inheritance and the unsearchable riches of Christ. He's prayed for us, that Christ would dwell in our hearts by faith. Now, he prays that we would be baptized (my word choice) into the love of God. How else can we be the hands and feet of Christ to others, but to immerse ourselves into the love God has for us and live securely in it? Knowing and believing that we are immeasurably loved by God is what prepares and enables us to love others well.
Ephesians series message 18
Text: Ephesians 3: 14-19
Before laying down some Christian ethics, there is one more stop along the way; more prayer for the Ephesians. He prays specifically that we will be strengthened in the inner-man by the glorious hope of the gospel AND that we will be baptized (my word) in love. Not just any love - GOD'S love. Where Christian ethic is lacking, often there is a corresponding lack of Christian hope, or Christian love.
Ephesians series message 17
Text: Ephesians 3:10-13
When you think of church, what comes to mind? Paul says God's boundless wisdom is on full display through the workings of the gospel. Angels are served notice as they stoop to more fully comprehend God's splendiferous power and wisdom made most visible in redeemed sinners - both Jew and Gentile. The church is born from God's eternal purposes, and is the pinnacle of His love, kindness, power, justice, and grace. It is the focal point of God's ministry in the world today and the saints will be His trophies of grace throughout eternity. Our hope is surely not in human wisdom or wealth or power. Let us learn to love and nurture THE CHURCH!
Ephesians series message 16
Text: Ephesians 3:7-9
Look at the marvelous grace of God, which took the least of God's people - an enemy of the cross - and fashioned him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles! His theme is the theme of this message: the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Ephesians series message 15
Text: Ephesians 3:1-6
Our passage this week and next contains truths that are profoundly important for us to grasp. Paul is winding down the letter's foundation of theology and will soon turn to Christian ethics and what it looks like to follow Christ. As he teaches the "mystery" of Jew and Gentile together, comprising the people of God, and the necessity of special revelation, which brings it to light, let us not overlook the term heir. It is a stupendous gospel truth which sets the stage for the practical truths to come. Indeed, Paul is laying down tracks which inform and comfort us as we say "no" to sin, accept suffering, and endeavor to love our neighbor well.
Ephesians series message 14
Text: Ephesians 2:17-22
Jesus preaches peace through the gospel because the gospel reconciles us to God and puts us in His family. We Gentiles were formerly aliens to God's people but now fellow-citizens. More than that, we are citizens of heaven and pilgrims passing through this world! We - God's people - are a holy temple held together by Christ, to the praise of His glorious grace.
Ephesians series message 13
Text: Ephesians 2:11-17
Our salvation is awesome! God raised us up from the deadness of our sinful nature and gave us an eternal inheritance in Christ. But, there's more. For most of us, we were not only dead in sins but completely outside of the covenants and promise. We were without hope. Christ has brought us near through his precious blood. In Jesus, walls come down!
Ephesians series message 12
Text: Ephesians 2:8-10
We bring to a close this remarkable section which speaks to our salvation from heaven's perspective. The mighty power of God is displayed in us by His raising us from the dead to new life. By His power, our eternity is sealed and we can expect to see His life manifested in us now as He conforms us to the image of His Son, from one degree of glory to another. We are saved by grace, and faith is the mechanism by which God accomplishes this. Boasting is excluded, 100%, so none of this is by our works or efforts.
Ephesians series message 11
Text: Ephesians 2:4-7
What a contrast our text brings! When we were dead in our sins, God made us alive together with Christ! This is grace executed - dead in sin to dead to sin! Forever we will be showcased as examples of God's great kindness and grace. In this message, we'll focus on the transformative power of grace in our lives.
Ephesians series message 10
Text: Ephesians 2:1-3
Grace is magnified as we roll from Paul's prayer in Ephesians one to an in-depth analysis of the human condition. Contrary to our modern perspective, mankind is entirely sinful, alienated from God, and completely unable to please Him in his natural sinful condition and disposition. The only Holy One fulfilled all righteousness into his adult years before offering Himself to save sinners - that's the beauty and simplicity of the gospel. As continue our analysis and application of human nature from Ephesians 2:1-3, we begin to comprehend just how marvelous and staggering God's grace truly is. Without it, we are dead in our sins and without hope - in this life and in the one to come.
Ephesian series message 9
Text: Ephesians 2:1-3
Grace is magnified as we roll from Paul's prayer in Ephesians one to an in-depth analysis of the human condition. Contrary to our modern perspective, mankind is entirely sinful, alienated from God, and completely unable to please Him in his natural sinful condition and disposition. There is a stark contrast between the Holy One we preached on last week and those He came to redeem. Our desperate need for a Savior truly highlights everything we cherish in this Advent Season.
Text: Luke 1:26-38
Our Advent message ties into our series in Ephesians regarding salvation. Our inheritance in Christ Jesus' birth is unique because He is unique and appeared in Bethlehem to accomplish a unique work! Only He could get the job done; that's why celebrating His birth brings such comfort and joy.
Ephesians series message 8
Text: Ephesians 1:15-23
This Sunday we'll wrap up our consideration of Paul's prayer in Ephesians and focus on the greatness of God’s power toward us as He works out every aspect of our salvation. It is a great comfort and encouragement to us as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Our Advent-themed Scripture reading tells us that Jesus came to save his people from their sins. That He did - and marvelously so. It is precisely that which we will celebrate on Sunday.
Ephesians series message 7
Text: Ephesians 1:15-23
This Sunday we conclude our attention to Paul's prayer in chapter one. He prays that we would have God's power to experientially know three breathtaking gospel truths: 1) the hope of our calling 2) riches of God's inheritance 3) God's power towards us how believe. What greater way to celebrate the advent of the holy one than to rejoice in His work for us!
Ephesians series message 6
Text: Ephesians 1:15-23
In Sunday's rare Redskins victory, the rookie QB got lost in the moment and forgot their was still time on the clock for one final play. He was celebrating and taking selfies with the fans! The coaches rushed in the backup QB to take a knee and run out the clock. Who could blame him? It was his first win as a professional athlete when every news outlet had been writing off the team as hapless and hopeless. It's easy to forget the joy of the Lord and to lose our first love - ask the Ephesians, they know all about it. That's why Paul takes time to pray for them after his soaring doxology - "don't forget!" he says. "Know this in your heart and cherish it, so they joy of the Lord will be your strength in all that you do." Paul's prayer for the Ephesians has three main petitions: 1) that they would "know" the hope they've been called to 2) that they would know His glorious inheritance 3) that they would know His incomparably great power for us. It shows us the depth and breadth of the gospel, where our focus should be, and how we can pray for others.
Special Guest Speaker Jeff Osborn unpacks the phrase we often hear, but may not fully understand.