Rise Community Church

In our exploration of Ephesians 4, we're challenged to live lives worthy of our calling in Christ. This isn't about earning God's love, but about embodying the unity we already have in Him. The passage emphasizes seven 'ones' - one body, spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and God - symbolizing the completeness of our unity in Christ. Despite our differences, we're called to humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love. These qualities aren't just personal virtues, but communal traits that manifest in our relationships. As we wrestle with difficult people and situations, we discover the depth of Christ's love and realize our own need for grace. This message invites us to reflect: Are we intentionally cultivating these qualities? Are we embracing our unique gifts while maintaining unity? Let's challenge ourselves to live out this calling, remembering that our diversity is meant to strengthen, not divide, the body of Christ.

In our exploration of Ephesians 4:1, we uncover a profound truth about our identity in Christ. The apostle Paul urges us to 'live a life worthy of the calling you have received.' But what does this truly mean? It's not about earning God's love or paying back a debt. Rather, it's an invitation to live in alignment with who we already are in Christ. We are called 'holy ones' and 'saints' not because we're perfect, but because that's our new identity in Jesus. This shift in perspective transforms how we view ourselves and our walk with God. It's about becoming who we already are in Christ, growing into the reality of our new nature. As we embrace this truth, we're challenged to live out our faith in community, supporting one another in love and unity. This message reminds us that our journey of faith isn't about striving to earn God's favor, but about living out the grace we've already received.

In this message, we dive deep into Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3. The central message revolves around the transformative power of truly understanding and experiencing God's love. We're challenged to move beyond surface-level faith and embrace the fullness of God's presence in our lives. The prayer highlights three facets of divine love: the Father's grace, the Spirit's strength, and Christ's indwelling presence. This trinity of love offers us not just forgiveness, but the power to change and grow. We're reminded that our dissatisfaction in life often stems from seeking fulfillment in temporary things, while God has placed eternity in our hearts. The message encourages us to shift our focus from external circumstances to the internal reality of God's love, which can sustain us through all of life's challenges. As we grasp the width, length, height, and depth of Christ's love, we're invited to experience a profound transformation that impacts not just our own lives, but overflows to those around us.

This Palm Sunday message invites us to look beyond the surface of celebration and examine our hearts. The story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, found in Matthew 21, reveals a profound truth: our expectations of God can sometimes blind us to His true nature and purpose. We're challenged to consider whether we're seeking Jesus for who He truly is or merely for what He can do for us. The sermon draws a powerful parallel between the temple in Jerusalem and our own hearts as God's dwelling place. Just as Jesus cleansed the temple, He desires to 'flip the tables' in our lives, removing anything that hinders our intimacy with Him. This message encourages us to reflect on our own faith journey, asking ourselves if we're truly seeking God's presence or just His presents. As we enter Holy Week, we're called to prepare our hearts, recognizing Jesus as the humble, righteous, and victorious King who desires a genuine relationship with us above all else.

This sermon explores Paul's message in Ephesians about the reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles through Christ. It emphasizes how Jesus has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, creating one new humanity in Him. The pastor challenges listeners to examine their own biases and to welcome all believers as equal members of God's family, regardless of background or past sins.

In this powerful exploration of Ephesians 2, we're confronted with the stark reality of our spiritual condition before Christ and the transformative power of God's grace. The passage paints a vivid picture: we were once dead in our sins, enslaved to the ways of the world, and deserving of wrath. But then comes the pivotal phrase: 'But God.' These two words encapsulate the incredible intervention of divine love. God, rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ when we were spiritually dead. This isn't just about escaping punishment; it's about being raised up and seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. The magnitude of this grace is so vast that it will take ages for God to fully express His kindness towards us. As we contemplate this undeserved gift, we're challenged to reconnect with our 'first love' and to live out our purpose as God's masterpiece, created for good works He prepared in advance for us to do.

In this message, we delve into the profound concept of spiritual warfare, focusing on Ephesians and its teachings about principalities and powers. This isn't about cartoon devils or bumps in the night, but rather the complex spiritual influences that shape our world and our lives. We learn that these powers, created by God, can be forces for good or become corrupted, manifesting as systems of oppression, division, and enslavement. Jesus is central to this narrative, disarming these powers and offering us true freedom. As believers, we're called to recognize these influences, stand against divisive forces, and embody the unifying wisdom of God. This understanding challenges us to see beyond human conflicts to the spiritual realities at work, encouraging us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. By studying God's Word and putting on the full armor of God, we can resist these powers and live as agents of reconciliation in a divided world.

In this message, we delve into the profound concept of God's incomparable power available to believers. This isn't about worldly power or influence, but the same divine strength that raised Christ from the dead. We're challenged to open our eyes to this resurrection power in our lives, capable of transforming our deepest struggles and brokenness into new life. The message reminds us that our present circumstances don't define us; rather, God's power can reverse even the most desperate situations. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to examine what truly holds power over our lives - is it money, status, or addictions? Or are we allowing God's transformative power to reign supreme? This teaching invites us to live in the 'in-between' space where heaven and earth intersect, becoming part of a community that embodies God's restoring work in the world.

In this powerful exploration of Ephesians, we're challenged to embrace our identity as a new humanity in Christ. The central message revolves around God's grand plan to unify all things under Jesus, breaking down barriers that divide us. We're reminded that before Christ, we were spiritually dead, disconnected from God and each other. But through His love and grace, we've been made alive and brought near. The imagery of passing through the cross as a gateway to become part of this new humanity is particularly striking. It calls us to live worthy of this calling, embodying humility, gentleness, and patience. As we reflect on this, let's consider: How can we actively participate in God's unifying work? Are we truly living as new creations, or are we still clinging to old divisions? This message challenges us to see beyond our differences and recognize our shared identity in Christ, urging us to be agents of reconciliation in a fragmented world.

As we celebrate Christmas, we're challenged to reflect on how our understanding of this sacred time has evolved. Have we lost sight of its true meaning amidst the chaos of family gatherings, traditions, and material pursuits? This message invites us to embrace the transformative power of Christ in our lives. Drawing from Mark 10:27, we're reminded that 'with God, all things are possible.' This isn't just a platitude, but a profound truth that can reshape our perspective on personal growth and life's challenges. The story of the rich man entering the kingdom of God illustrates that what seems impossible to us is achievable through God's grace. We're encouraged to add God to the equation of our lives, especially in areas where we feel stuck or hopeless. This Christmas, let's open our hearts to the possibility of change, allowing Christ to work in us in ways we never thought possible.

In this powerful message, we delve into the timeless story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10:38-42. This familiar tale challenges us to examine our spiritual priorities amidst life's constant demands. Are we, like Martha, distracted by the busyness of service, or are we, like Mary, choosing the 'better part' by sitting at Jesus' feet? The message reminds us that while service is important, our relationship with Christ should always come first. We're encouraged to reflect on how often we allow life's distractions to pull us away from our spiritual needs, potentially leaving us unprepared for life's inevitable storms. The speaker draws an interesting parallel between our spiritual and physical needs, urging us to 'fill our spiritual tank' as diligently as we attend to our physical needs. This message is a wake-up call for all of us to reassess our priorities and to choose, like Mary, to draw closer to Jesus amidst life's chaos.

Pastor Frank teaches on the importance of living in community, and how we should all strive to be a grape, rather than a marble.