Messages
Pleasant City Church: Shelby, NC
Paul is exhorting us to unity that we may fulfill the calling of our life to minister to others and reach the lost with the gospel with our gifts through the local Church.
The “calling” represents when we trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord. We received by faith through repentance what Jesus provided through the cross. At that time, we are placed “in Christ” with others who have done the same. From this point we then begin to live together (in unity) the life He intends for us to live—not only in Him but also for Him.
Paul concludes the theological chapters of Ephesians (1-3) with a prayer for us who are “in Christ”—that we would fully understand who we are “in Christ.”
Paul shows us in this passage that racism and division have no place in the church. Because of Jesus, the two enemies have become friends.
The new spiritual realities that have been provided for you (1:3-14) can only be realized when you discover the true crisis of your soul and then receive the cure provided by Christ. In the passage today Paul is describing the act and process of salvation or as he puts it being “in Christ.”
Once we understand: 1) that our identity is Christ-based, 2) that we are “in Him” (meaning we are living in the new spiritual realities Christ has provided) then we can begin to pursue the life He has for us.
When we begin to understand who we are “in Christ” then we begin to know our true identity, our privileges, and our purpose.
Most scholars agree that excluding the book of Romans; the letter to the Ephesians is the most detailed written presentation of Christian Theology of all of the epistles.
Many scholars have written that Ephesians 1:3-14 are some of the most powerful verses in the entire Bible. They clearly describe who we are “in Christ” and the new identity in which we can now live.
Christianity in its very essence is a resurrection religion. (Matthew 28:1-10) If there is no resurrection there is no salvation. (1 Corinthians 15:1-7) The resurrection provides forgiveness, freedom and victory for those who follow Jesus.
The brutality of Jesus' last hours was horrific. It was a scene that was predicted in the OT, recorded in the gospels, and explained in the epistles to bring salvation to mankind.
The last days of Jesus has been described as the week of passion. The word passion not only means strong emotion or strong desire; it also means extreme suffering and distress. Jesus' anguish would extent into the night before the cross in the garden of Gethsemane.
God's desire is for your next move to be one of faithful consistency in making disciples.
God's desire for your Next move is to Spiritually Reproduce.
Every single person, including YOU, begins their spiritual Life as a spiritual Infant, but you don't have to stay there. God's desire is for your next move to be one of maturing. Will you stay at What's Now or move to What's Next?
Every single person on earth can be found in a Spiritual Stage of life. The forward progression through these stages is called Discipleship. Before you can go to what's Next you must know where you are Now.
Reasons you do not forgive: the one who hurt you does not deserve forgiveness; the one who hurt you has not suffered enough; and lastly, to forgive them will make you feel vulnerable.
Hurt is hurt; but its impact and depth are determined by the closeness of the relationship with the offender.
“Life is not fair” is a common theme in the present day but how can it be fair? We live in a fallen world around fallen people. But there is One who can make sense of it all because He is sovereign. He has the power to orchestrate the events of our life even in a fallen world. This is clearly seen in the life of Joseph as his prison experience led to victory.
Doing the right thing does not necessarily guarantee good short-term outcomes. This principle is clearly seen in this part of Joseph's life. However, Joseph stood firm, overcame temptation and trusted that God was providentially directing his life through his trials.
Like many, Joseph had to overcome the reality of a dysfunctional family. Dysfunction in a home is a consequence of a practice or behavioral pattern that undermines the stability of an individual or family. Just as Joseph, one can overcome the effects of a dysfunctional home by realizing and then changing the destructive patterns that create the dysfunction.
Paul's desire when he arrived in Athens was to share the Good News with the people. He arrived in this great city not as a sightseer -- but as a soul seeker.
Jesus' life echoes throughout eternity. But what would have happened and would be happening now, if this Child of Heaven had not come?
Mary was a common Jewish girl who was humbled that God would bestow His favor upon her. However, Mary's role, in God's salvation for us through Jesus, has become a story of controversy and misunderstanding for many.
For many the Christmas Season is the loneliest time of the year. Loneliness is an emotional state in which a person experiences a powerful feeling of emptiness and isolation. It is more than the feeling of wanting the company of others. It is a feeling of being cut off, disconnected and alienated from others.
For many, there have been and are doubts surrounding the Christmas Story including the characters of the story. The first doubts came from Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist.
Whose you Are identifies Who you Are and What you Do
There are two statements that relate to our identity: Who you Are identifies What you Do. What you Do identifies Who you Are
There are two statements that relate to our identity: Who you Are identifies What you Do. What you Do identifies Who you Are.
How do we respond to the vision God has placed before us? By remembering the sacrifice before us, rejecting the complacency among us, receiving the gifts He has given us, and releasing afflictions within us, and then responding to the vision God has given us.
Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, our methods, creativity, and presentation of the Gospel require us at times to reach beyond our traditions for the greater cause of lives being transformed by a never changing message.
Mike Morris (Youth Pastor 1982-1989) speaks
Mike Morris (Youth Pastor 1982-1989) speaks
The Spiritual Gifts listed in Romans 12 are classified as motivational gifts. God, through the work of the Holy Spirit, has given every follower of Jesus at least one of the seven motivational gifts to carry out the work of the ministry.
The Spiritual Gifts listed in Romans 12 are classified as motivational gifts. God, through the work of the Holy Spirit, has given every follower of Jesus at least one of the seven motivational gifts to carry out the work of the ministry.
The Christian Life should be identified as a life of generosity. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly outlined what it means to live Kingdom Principles--covering almost every area of life including our willingness to give of ourselves.
Definition of Spiritual Momentum: A move of the Holy Spirit in the life of a church family that is awakening to, rallying around, and fulfilling the vision of the Great Commission.
Definition of Spiritual Momentum: A move of the Holy Spirit in the life of a church family that is awakening to, rallying around, and fulfilling the vision of the Great Commission.
These four verses are very significant when we look at the context of church history. The church today needs a clear vision of how Christ wants His church to be organized and to function.
These four verses are very significant when we look at the context of church history. The church today needs a clear vision of how Christ wants His church to be organized and to function.
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