“In God’s family, we choose to live differently.” That’s pretty much what Paul is saying in Ephesians 4. Now that we’re alive as sons and daughters of God, now that we’re members of His family, the house rules have changed. This new family doesn’t live like other families do. It’s all different. 1) The … [Read More…] New Life
The second half of Ephesians is about how God means us to live now that we are His children. Who we are shapes what we do. This passage from Ephesians 4:1–16 is about growing up. It’s about who we’ll be when we’re all grown up in Christ, and it shows us how we’ll get … [Read More…] Together We Grow
During Missions Week 2023, guest speaker Rev. Michael Allen challenged us with two passages from Matthew 22:35–39 and Matthew 28:16–20. Pastor Michael Allen currently serves as the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Together Chicago, an organization that catalyzes faith, business, community, and government leaders to inspire hope and affect peace and justice in Chicago communities. … [Read More…] Your Response to the Great Commission and Great Commandment
For many, the deepest WHY of missions is lacking. The early church understood that EVERYTHING spirals out of our understanding of God—the triune God of the Bible. “…As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you. And with that, he breathed [on them] and said, Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:19–22) As … [Read More…] Missio Dei & Me
The Apostle Paul has been leading us through a grand celebration of the Gospel: in Christ, by grace and through faith, we have been reconciled with God and with one another. We are alive as God’s sons and daughters. We are unified as God’s family, Jews and Gentiles together in this multi-ethnic family of God. … [Read More…] The Power of Prayer
The Apostle Paul is writing the letter to the Ephesians from a Roman prison because the Jews in Jerusalem accused him of fraternizing with Gentiles. And here in Ephesians 3:1-13, Paul tells us it’s worth it! All the sufferings for the Gospel, all the hardship, pain, loss, and imprisonment, every bit of it is worthwhile…because … [Read More…] The Wonder of the Gospel
In this sermon from Ephesians 2:11-22, we’re going to see the glorious truth of what that salvation means for our relationships with one another. Salvation works on both a vertical and a horizontal axis (like a cross). Salvation reconciles us with God, and it reconciles us with one another. Salvation isn’t just about “I … [Read More…] One In Christ
A few years back a friend of mine in Washington State had a near death experience. In God’s mercy, he survived. And I asked him how it had changed his perspective, and this is what he told me: “When you’re a dead man, and God gives you your life back, it means He’s got a … [Read More…] Alive By Grace
Did you know that as a follower of Jesus Christ you have a secret identity? By grace, through faith, in Jesus, you are a son or daughter of God! You are royalty incognito. You are an eternal being hidden in time. You are a Titan in this everyday world. You say, “But I don’t … [Read More…] Our True Selves
To be alive in Christ is nothing short of a miracle! And it didn’t just happen; there was a purpose, a plan, and a promise. In fact, as the Apostle Paul is about to tell us in Ephesians 1 all three Persons of the One Triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit—have been collaborating from eternity past … [Read More…] To the Praise of His Glory
