(Ephesians Week 13) In our everyday life we have the opportunity to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and chose to live our life intentionally. We have the option to chose between what is easy and safe and what is intentional and purposeful. We are challenged to trade up to the more meaningful things of life and look through the lens of intentionality. (Eph. 5:14-20, Acts 2:12-15)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 12) Far too many believers get stuck imitating the old traditions of the faith, but the actual story of the gospel is set in the future, it is a story of future restoration. We all can point to something or someone who we are imitating with our behavior and actions. However, we are called to be imitators of God and in doing so we will be a light leading the way forward for all to see. (Eph. 5:1-11, 4:24, Matt. 15:16-17, Acts 10, Acts 11:1-18)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 11) In the first Sunday of this new year, we are challenged in Ephesians 4 to put off an old self and put on a new self by recognizing who we ought to be and renewing our minds. It takes realizing how much we owe God in order to realize what we ought to be. And when we realize who we ought to be, we have the desire to change. (Eph. 4:17-33, Phil. 2)
Read MoreIn our last Sunday of 2017, we reflect back on the highs and lows that we have each experienced and look to the story of Joseph as an example of how we should handle 2018. In his life he experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, but throughout it all, he looked to The Lord first. (Matt. 6:33, Gen. 39, 40, 41)
Read MoreEmmanuel, God With Us (Week 2) Sometimes we know more about God's presence then we actually feel. Today we are challenged to embrace His presence through the story of His birth and recognizing that the birth of Jesus is a history splitting, movement making, human saving, world shaping moment in history. (Psalm 139, Joshua 1:9, Matt. 28:20, Deut. 31, Isaiah 41:10, Rom. 8:38-39, Luke 2)
Read MoreEmmanuel, God With Us (Week 1) Throughout history, God has been reminding us that He is with us. From Moses and Joshua to Elijah, He repeatedly proclaims the comfort and peace of His presence in our life. Sadly, His presence is often one of the most ignored things in our life. We seek Him in the big flashy things, but His presence is often found in the silence and the whisper. (Matt. 1:18-23, Isaiah 7:14, I Kings 19:3-13)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 10) In the fourth chapter of Ephesians, Paul depicts what it looks like for the church to be mature, theologically driven, and relationally healthy. For many of us, we put so much of our focus on the individual pursuit of God, but what if we together as a church became more like what Christ intended? Are we on a trajectory that is becoming more like an Ephesians 4 church? (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 9) The first word of chapter four is, "therefore." Paul uses this word to distinguish a pivotal moment in his letter to the Ephesians to call the Church forward. He calls us to live a life worthy of our calling. (Ephesians 4:1-6)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 8) At the end of Paul's prayer in Ephesians, he attempts to describe the indescribability of God's power at work within us. Do we believe that God is as powerful as He says He is in Eph. 3:20-21? And if so, does our life reflect that? We often believe that God can do these things in other areas, but are we asking Him to do more than we can imagine in our life for His glory? (Eph. 3:20-21, Mark 9:17-24)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 7) What is our vision for the church? What is our vision for our personal life? Are we as a church and as people seeking to be self-fulfilled in our church and self-focused in our life? There is a big difference between really liking the things of God and rooting ourselves in the kind of love that knows no bounds. This is the mindset that is the catalyst behind why we love our city, love our neighbors and desire to be a church that is planted in the love of God that knows no bounds. (Eph. 3:14-19)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 6) The life of Paul, (author of Ephesians) is an example of saying YES. The ripple effect and ultimate impact of saying yes to what God calls us to is staggering - he uses our faithfulness beyond our imagination. (Ephesians 3:7-13, Acts 9:1-17, 2 Tim 4:1-9)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 5) The chaos of our world and the divisive realities can feel like a storm crashing in on us. We need to awake and rise as the people of God who can say to the chaos, “peace be still.” With Jesus as our cornerstone, together as united people, we must build a restored humanity. (Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 4:35-39)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 4) When we fully understand our separation from God and the reality of the depth of our sin, we can then begin to see the magnitude of His love for us. What God has done in our life should lead us to a place of humility and give us a broken heart for the lost around us. (Eph. 2:1-10, Rom. 12:2, James 4:4, Col. 2:12-13)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 3) We can be so focused on what we need to correct in our life and often view God as a "Big-Brother" who is always watching and pointing out our failures. But Paul's words through the Holy Spirit, show us the power of encouraging words and remind us that God loves us, chose us, and is thankful for us. (Eph. 1:15-23)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 2) In the early part of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he wrote a 220 word doctrinal rant about what God has done for us, and what it means to be blessed. The biblical claim of the gospel is that we live from the blessing, not for the blessing. We remind ourselves of each of these truths and blessings this morning and re-shape the narrative of what it means to be blessed. (Eph. 3:1-14, Jer. 29:11)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 1) In the first week of our series on Ephesians, we examine the history behind the city of Ephesus and their incredible transformation to Christianity. The gospel of Jesus is a story of revolution that flips cities upside down. It has the power to change everything and everyone. We must not shrink the story of Jesus down, but shout it out in the theaters of our influence and life. (Eph 1:1-3, Acts 19:23-41, 20:1)
Read MoreDoing Things That Matter (Week 8) The idea of God's presence with us should be an awakening moment that spurs us forward to do things that matter. Do we care enough to bring the love and presence of God into the life of everyone around us? We have been given the power to encourage, heal, and strengthen our community around us! There is a story waiting to be told, and it is waiting for you. (Acts 3, Acts 5:14-15, Matt. 10:6-9, 2 Thes. 2)
Read MoreDoing Things That Matter (Week 7) The problem isn't our desire to do something great... it is our understanding of greatness. The gospel is intended to be lived. The greatest thing we can do is serve like Jesus. Who/How/Where are you serving? (John 13:1-17, Mark 14:22-24)
Read MoreDoing Things That Matter (Week 6) We are taking a new step into what we are calling our "Global Life" initiative, which looks beyond our city and hopes to do things that matter with other people and places around the world. We're excited to work with the Mission of Hope, Haiti - Ruben Cenea shares about the amazing work MOH is doing and how we can engage.
Read MoreDoing Things That Matter (Week 5) Reckless love is an action that is not just about doing good deeds. So many followers of Jesus effort to be good people, but we must also effort to bring the kingdom of God. The people we love, we pray desperately for. Are our prayers for our city and our neighbors desperate enough? (Mark 2:1-12, Job 29:6, Isaiah 52:7)
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