One of the most glaring in a good way, characteristics of this church is that they are only commended not criticized. This is rare in these letters. So, in a very real way they are a sort of community par excellence. As such, any church would be wise to imitate their example. If we did, what would be the result… Our faithfulness and absolute trust, even in the face of trials, and a secure future in His Kingdom.
At the start of this new chapter, Paul goes right into a discussion about the importance (and imperative!) of a life lived in devotion to the Lord Jesus, which manifests itself in holiness. Paul specifically calls it a “walk”. The walk is a Jewish euphemism that we actually understand in our own culture (i.e. whenever we say something like “don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk”). To Paul, it matters whether not we are actually living out the devotion to our King that we claim we have. Are we walking this walk?
The passage this week is very much a cautionary reminder that God’s judgment is real and sure! Yes, God is gracious. He never ceases to be HOLY and this holiness always has and always will include both His gracious loving-kindness, and His perfectly right justice. We will look at some of the false fortresses and the one true fortress in the message.
Through prayer we have community with God and we are called to submission and dependence on God
If the Law highlights and makes us aware of our sin, is it any good for us today?
This week we look at the way being united with Jesus changes the way we live here and now.
Ephesians begins with Paul explaining the Gospel and then it begins to focus in on what it looks like to live as people that have been changed by the Gospel. This week we will explore what Paul means when he encourages believers to live as children of light.
Solomon takes a break from looking at the meaningless nature of much of the human experience and he begins to tell us how to approach God.
Many of us who have placed faith in Christ, have sat back at some point and said “now what?” This week we look at the way we are called to spend our days from the moment we place faith in Christ until we are united with him in glory.