Parkside Church

Paul closes the first half of Ephesians with a doxology that bursts the seams of human language, because his heart is overwhelmed by the limitless power and infinite purposes of God. Praying without ceasing has led him to worship without ceasing—his theology has ignited doxology. He stretches Greek vocabulary and syntax to their breaking point because he has glimpsed God's plan to reunite all things in Christ, recreate a people for good works, and display divine wisdom to the universe. The only fitting response is awe.

Paul offers a single sweeping prayer in Ephesians 3:14–21, preparing believers for the practical instructions that follow in the second half of the letter. He anchors the prayer in God's absolute authority—the One who names every family in heaven and on earth—and reminds us no power can separate us from Him. Paul asks that believers be strengthened internally by the Spirit so they can grasp the immeasurable dimensions of Christ's love. Ultimately, we are invited to be filled with the very fullness of God, living as temples where His presence dwells.

Paul pauses his prayer in Ephesians 3 to explain why his imprisonment is not a failure but a demonstration of God's grace at work. He sees his ministry—not just salvation—as a gift of grace empowered by God. This grace reveals God's wisdom to the world through the unity and mission of the church. Because of this grace, believers now have bold and confident access to God despite suffering or uncertainty.

Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-10 that our salvation is entirely a gracious gift from God, received through faith and not by our own efforts, so that no one can boast. Yet having received this gift, we are described as God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of doing the good works that He prepared beforehand. Thus the Christian life is marked both by gratitude (we don't earn God's favor) and by obedience (we live out the purpose for which we were saved). In short: we are saved by grace, for works.

Before Christ, we were not spiritually neutral—we were under the rule of sin, death, and dark powers. But through union with Christ, God has made us alive and seated us with Jesus in heavenly places, sharing in His victory and authority. This isn't abstract theology; it's Paul's way of saying, “You don't have to be afraid anymore.” Christ's throne in heaven and His throne in our hearts are connected—when we enthrone Him daily, His power displaces fear, sin, and every rival ruler.

Paul prays that followers of Jesus would have an apocalypse—a revelation—that opens their eyes to who God really is, which in turn reveals who they really are: people of hope, of infinite worth, and empowered by the very power that raised Christ from the dead.

Note: There is an issue with an echo in the audio in this message for the first thirteen minutes before being corrected. You can still hear what is being said, it's just not the quality we aim for at first. God has already stocked the shelves of our lives with every resource we need in His Spirit. The challenge is not lack but access—are we sidelining the Spirit, looking elsewhere, or refusing Spirit-led inconveniences? If we receive God's blessings, they don't stop with us—they flow through us to bless others.

In Ephesians 1:3–14, Paul bursts into a single, soaring sentence of worship, rehearsing the blessings God has given us in Christ. The passage is not first an invitation to debate God's methods but a call to remember His goodness and worship Him. When distraction dulls our worship, Paul's words remind us to pause, recall God's faithfulness, and give Him glory. Our response to salvation should be daily gratitude and heartfelt worship, not apathy or endless arguments.

In John 14, as part of his final words to his closest friends, Jesus promises to leave them His peace. In this message pastor John explains what exactly Jesus' peace is, how it differs from what the world offers, and how we as believers can live within his peace.

In Acts 18, we are briefly introduced to a couple of normal, everyday followers of Jesus—Priscilla and Aquilla. In this message, Pastor John talks about how God uses people ordinary people who are devoted and surrendered to lead his church.

The Holy Spirit prepares, prompts, and empowers Peter to be a witness to Cornelius.

In Acts 6, the Church is growing and there are more needs to meet, more people to serve, and more resources to administer than the Apostles can handle. Their solution? They need more people like Stephen, full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, to humbly serve tables.

The opening scene in Acts shows the resurrected Jesus appearing to his disciples. They are looking for clarity, but instead Jesus offers them a calling.

As the sermon on the mount starts to wrap up, Jesus makes a clear call to "judge not" and then gives us an example the exact behavior he is critiquing. In this sermon, we make some obersvations about judgements and just how dangerous they can become in the life of the believer.