Podcasts about christ ephesians

Rooted & Grounded in the Love of Christ (Ephesians 3:14-19)  Pastor Ron Laney, Pleasant Grove Church, Carthage, MS.  www.PleasantGrove.info

Ephesians 1:1-14, John 17:20-26

Submitting in Christ | Ephesians 5:15-21

In this encouraging and thought-provoking message, we explore what it means to live worthy of the calling we have received in Christ (Ephesians 4:1).Too often, calling is reserved for a select few on a platform, but Paul reminds us that every believer has been given grace, purpose, and a role to play in the body of Christ. This sermon unpacks the difference between our call to follow Jesus and our call to take responsibility in His Kingdom, challenging us to move from spectators to participants.“Jesus hasn't just saved you FROM something; He has saved you FOR something.”Discover how God calls ordinary people, why every believer matters, and how the Church flourishes when each part does its work.

What are students and children actually learning from us? It may not be our sermons. It may not be our advice. It might simply be the way we live. In this episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards shares a simple but powerful story from dinner with his grandchildren and a reminder that faith is often caught before it is taught. After inviting his family to pray over a meal, Doug watched something unexpected happen: His grandchildren stepped forward and wanted to pray. Not because they were asked. Not because they were prepared. But because prayer had become natural to them. That moment became a powerful reminder: Students and children are watching us more closely than we realize.

Walk in Christ | Ephesians 5.1-14 

Anchored in the Word Morning Reflection: Season 5 Episode 101 Shepherding the Church of God: Christ Ephesians 4:11-16 #morningreflections #churchlife #pastoralcare #growth #ministry

Beloved children of God, walk in sacrificial love and the light of repentance.

The Generous Conquering Christ | Jeff White | May 3, 2026https://www.newcityep.com

We are children of God in Jesus. He has loved and chosen you IN CHRIST, before the foundations of the world. God is bigger than our understanding. We are adopted by by God Almighty.

As Christ's people, we are called to a clean break with our past corrupt life and an active pursuit of righteousness.

Title: God's Call To Glory Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 FCF: We often struggle comprehending the scope and sequence of God's Redemption of His people. Prop: Because God calls and oversees our redemption to glory, we must be counted and walk worthy of the call of God. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. In a moment we'll read from the English Standard Version starting in verse 5 and going through verse 12. Last week, Paul began addressing some of the concerns of the Thessalonians regarding the Day of the Lord and the persecution they were enduring. Paul assured them that God's justice is perfect. That He is reordering their lives and will reward all men according to what they have earned, either punishment for wickedness or reward for Christ's righteousness. As terrible as His punishment is for those who disobey the gospel, for those who obey, His reward is even more wonderful. We finished last week with the reward of meeting Christ in the air and His people glorifying Him and marveling at His splendor. But Paul wants to close out this section of his letter both by elaborating on the nature of the redemptive path God has put them on and also praying that God would see them to the end reward that he has just described. Stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Gracious God who gives abundantly to us so that we may be Your people, we humbly ask that You would send Your Spirit among us today to teach us from Your Word. Help us to see the depth and richness of Your grace today. Help us to understand just how miserable of a state we were in prior to Your grace interrupting our travels to hell. And perhaps, You would call others this morning with the interrupting power of Your grace to cease their pursuit of their own destruction and obey the gospel by believing on Your Son, Jesus. Meet with us, for we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] “Perfection demands perfection; that is why salvation must be by grace and why works are not sufficient.” Donald Grey Barnhouse. “We can never be blessed until we learn that we can bring nothing to Christ but our need.” Vance Havner [Slide 3] “Whatever contribution men make to their salvation they make by the grace of God. And that makes salvation the work of grace a hundred percent.” R.B. Kuiper “A man is not a Christian unless he can say with Paul, “I am what I am by the grace of God.” D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones [Slide 4] “The grace of God does not find men fit for salvation but makes them so.” Augustine of Hippo “The sinner, apart from grace, is unable to be willing and unwilling to be able.” W.E. Best “Grace is not a reward for faith; faith is the result of grace.” John Blanchard [Slide 5] “Grace is omnipotence acting redemptively.” Geoff Thomas “Grace is power. It does not instruct, it energizes, and what dead men need is energizing, such energizing as raises the dead.” B.B. Warfield “Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected.” Jonathan Edwards And on and on they go. I could have included many more. But that is enough for now. Let these words about God's grace prepare you to see it in the text today. I.) All who meet the Lord in the air are counted and walk worthy of the call of God, so we must be counted and walk worthy of the call of God. (11) a. [Slide 6] 11 - To this end we always pray for you, i. Paul begins these closing thoughts on God's righteous judgment pointing back to the rest and reward given to those who obeyed the gospel by believing what the apostles spoke to them concerning Jesus. ii. What is that rest and what is that reward? It is the glorifying of Christ and marveling at His splendor. iii. Paul reveals that it is “to this end” or more literally, “in this” that they continue to pray for them. iv. This gives this entire passage a distinct eschatological perspective of all that it has to say. Now that may be obvious now, but if we forget this it may make our interpretation of the text more difficult as we go forward. v. Paul and his companions are always praying for them that they would make it to that day when Christ returns and they can glorify Him in His presence. vi. Paul is not suggesting, necessarily, that this is uncertain. vii. Some Christians wrongly conclude that if God has promised something to us that to pray for it is either a waste of time or even showing distrust in His promises. viii. However, we are commanded to pray in the will of God. Paul shows us what that looks like. ix. Paul is confident, based on their growth in faith and love and endurance amid affliction and persecution, that God will count the Thessalonians worthy of His Kingdom. x. But just because Paul is certain of that, and just because God has promised to do that for those who believe, doesn't mean there is no need to pray for it to come about. xi. Quite the opposite actually. xii. To suggest that praying for something somehow implies that it is uncertain is simply unfounded. xiii. Imagine if we applied this to the Lord's prayer. xiv. Is it uncertain as to whether God's kingdom will come? Yet we are told to pray for it to come by Jesus Himself. xv. Paul praying for the Thessalonians to reach that glorious gathering in the air with Christ, is not suggesting, at all, that they might not make it. It is praying that God's promises come true. xvi. But what is necessary if they are to make it to that glorious day when we meet Christ in the air? xvii. What is the content of their continued prayers for the Thessalonians? b. [Slide 7] that our God may make you worthy of his calling, i. There are two translational concepts here that we should briefly address. ii. Many scholars debate the Greek word the ESV translates here “make worthy.” This is a very old debate. It is at the heart of the divide between Protestant and Roman Catholic doctrine. 1. As a reminder Official Roman Catholic Dogma believes that God actually makes you righteous at baptism. That original sin is washed away in those waters of baptism and the remainder of your life is the process of trying to keep yourself in that state of grace. Something you can only do in the confines of the Roman Catholic Church. 2. Through rigorous study, the Reformers demonstrated that the most common way to translate this word is “counted worthy.” 3. This word in the New Testament is consistently used to express someone or something being counted as worthy which is not actually worthy of the honor being given to them. It is in fact a legal declaration rather than something you are made into or have earned. 4. In fact, this is the same root word that Paul used in verse 5 where the Thessalonians are counted worthy of God's Kingdom. Since the context was speaking of God's righteous Justice, a legal verdict makes much more sense than some kind of God-infused act. 5. But since this context has an eschatological emphasis, the meaning could, conceivably be “make worthy.” 6. We know that Jesus will present us faultless before the throne of God. He will make us worthy and righteous. 7. But even if that is true, two things are absolutely certain. 8. The idea of God making us worthy prior to Christ's return, whether that be that we reach a state of perfection and never sin again, or that we reach a state of perfection and have to strive to keep ourselves there – both of these are not only not supported in this text, but they are repudiated. 9. Being truly worthy of God's Kingdom is definitely something God must do, but per Paul, that occurs at the coming of Christ. 10. However, in my opinion, counted worthy is the better translation here. And I will explain that in a moment. iii. The second translational concept here is concerning the same word but from a different angle. 1. The mood of the verb “count worthy” is in the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive mood is used to express a wish or hope, and sometimes has conditions. 2. As understanding grows on the Greek language, particularly the Greek trade-language that was used in the writing of the New Testament, more has been understood about the subjunctive mood to understand that it is actually very RARELY used in the New Testament to express something that is possible if the right conditions are met. 3. Instead, the subjunctive mood is almost exclusively used to express something that is either probable or intended. 4. Why does this matter? 5. Well, if we read this and Paul prays that our God “might” count them worthy of their calling… our mind automatically imports the possibility that God might not do that. We start wondering what the conditions are that God might have to not count someone worthy of the calling HE CALLED THEM WITH. 6. But here, Paul uses the subjunctive mood because He is praying that God's calling producing the verdict of worthy for these Thessalonian believers. Prayers are hopes or wishes. 7. But as we've already said, prayers are not necessarily a hope that implies it may not happen. 8. In fact, there is a HUGE correlation here between God calling someone and counting them worthy of that calling. And the key to unlock that is another letter that Paul will write from Corinth, possibly at the same time that he is writing to the Thessalonians. 9. In Romans 8:29-30, Paul says that whom the Lord calls He also justifies. Justify is to be “counted righteous” or “declared righteous” in a legal sense and would be synonymous with being counted worthy of God's Kingdom. Paul puts a necessary and unbreakable connection between the ones whom God calls and those whom He declares righteous. 10. There is no uncertainty here. If God called them, He will count them worthy of that call. And Paul is praying for that end. iv. With both those translational issues out of the way we better understand what Paul is praying. v. Paul wants them to make it to that day when we glorify Christ in the air. vi. So, he is praying that what is necessary for that to be the case is found in the Thessalonians. vii. First, that they be counted worthy of the saving call of God. viii. But our justification is not the end. Just because we are justified does not mean we are ready for the day we stand before Christ face to face to give Him glory. c. [Slide 8] and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, i. Paul also prays that God would fulfill or complete or provide every resolve. ii. The ESV translates this word well. It means something hoped for or desired or something resolved to do or have. iii. Paul's prayer is that God completes in them every resolve. What resolve? iv. The resolve has two sides. 1. First, for good. a. Good here is of the moral quality. b. It is to be good. To be righteous. To be holy. c. It is to please God. d. It is to care for one another. e. It is to love God and others. f. Paul's prayer is that God completes the resolve for them to be morally upright. 2. Second, a working out of their faith. a. So beyond moral uprightness, that they would do what pleases God out of a belief in Him and the gospel. b. The resolve to work out their faith in acts of obedience to God. v. And notice that all of this is done by or with God's power. God is doing the completing of these resolves by supplying everything necessary. vi. In this we see another close correlation between another letter that Paul will write several years later. vii. In Philippians 2, Paul commands the Philippians to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” viii. The word in Philippians 2 for “good pleasure” is… resolve. ix. Here Paul prays that God completes the resolve for them to be morally upright and work out their salvation, and in Phillippians he assures them that God provides the desire and the power to accomplish His resolve. x. Paul's prayer is for them to make it to that meeting in the air to glorify Christ. xi. Therefore, he prays for the necessary process for them to get there. xii. They must not only have been counted worthy of the calling of God, but they must also walk worthy of that calling. xiii. A divinely given faith that is effective to save, is a faith that must also be worked out with divine assistance. d. [Slide 9] Summary of the Point: Paul is praying, as any loving pastor should, that the church in Thessalonica makes it to that day when all believers will be gathered together to glorify Jesus in the air. And if they will make it to that day, they must follow the necessary process to get there. All who will meet the Lord in the air on that day will be counted worthy of God's effectual call. They will also walk worthy of that call by living morally upright lives, working out their faith as God completes this in them by His power. So, what is the application for us? Well, we must be counted and walk worthy of the effectual call of God. That application requires a good deal more explanation, but let's save that for later. Transition: [Slide 10 (blank)] So, after this necessary process is complete in them, what will be the result? II.) All who are counted and walk worthy of the call of God will glorify Christ and be glorified, so we must be counted and walk worthy of the call of God. (12) a. [Slide 11] 12 - so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, i. Paul, probably alludes to Isaiah 66 as he mentions the name of the Lord being glorified. ii. In our time and in this time to a much greater degree, a person's name meant much. In paganism and witchcraft, there is power in knowing and using names of demons. In the Old Testament, oftentimes it is considered a great shame on a person who is never named. In the New Testament we are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. iii. A name represents the fame and reputation and the authority of the person who bears it. iv. It would also be good for us to understand what being glorified means as we move through this verse. v. To glorify is to be positively acknowledged, recognized, or esteemed for one's own character, nature, or attributes. vi. To be glorified is to be honored and appreciated for who you are. vii. Therefore, the purpose of the Thessalonians being counted and walking worthy of God's call is so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be given the proper honor, praise, recognition, and esteem it deserves… how? viii. Paul says - in you. In the Thessalonians. When? ix. When they are all delivered safely to Christ's glorious presence having been counted worthy of God's call and having walked worthy of God's call, by their existence as a people conformed to Christ, and by their actions, as a people who marvel at His splendor, they will give glory to Jesus. x. The question arises, of course. Don't we bring glory to God NOW by the way we live? xi. Certainly! Paul isn't debating that point, nor is what he says here somehow in conflict with that. xii. Remember this passage is eschatological. Paul has his eyes fixed on that meeting with Christ in the air when He is revealed from heaven. xiii. Why? xiv. Because that is where the Thessalonians' concerns are. xv. They are concerned that the Day of the Lord has come and they are actually living their best life now… under great persecution. xvi. But that isn't the end of this redemption plan of God… b. [Slide 12] and you in him, i. One aspect that we must understand is that salvation is NOT just about getting out of hell. ii. It is NOT just about avoiding eternal death. iii. Being counted worthy and walking worthy of this name means not only that we bring glory to His name… but that the one who bears His name is also… glorified. iv. We are called children of God. A kingdom of priests. We are called the bride of Christ. v. This is all imagery and language to suggest that we become, in a very real way, part of God's family. We become sons of God. vi. We, in this entire redemptive story arch, go from created Image bearers to part of His royal court. vii. We inherit glory from one who has stamped His name on us. A name above every other name. viii. That same name… has been given to us in a similar way to a surname being given to an adopted child or a bride. ix. We inherit all the rights, privileges and responsibilities that comes with the name we were given. x. How can this be? How did this happen? How did we go from wretches to sharing in His glory? c. [Slide 13] 12 - according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. i. It is all grace my friends. ii. Once again, I implore you to step away from the correct but often misunderstood definition of grace as God's unmerited favor. iii. A better definition might be the acronym grace… God's Riches At Christ's Expense. iv. But even that is a bit narrow. v. So here is the best definition of grace that I can give you. vi. It is God's power which he grants to people according to His free will, to enable them to be, receive, or do something which they are unable to be, get, or do on their own. vii. And indeed, we could not be worthy of God's call on our own. We could walk worthy of that call on our own. viii. And we certainly were not able to take His name or be in His family by the strength of our own efforts or will. ix. Who among us chose their name? You may have had an opportunity to change your name. But none here chose their name. x. Our salvation, from beginning to end, is all a work of God's grace. d. [Slide 14] Summary of the Point: And so, Paul reveals that after the necessary process of being counted worthy and walking worthy of God's effectual call, not only will the Thessalonians glorify the name of Jesus but they will also be glorified by bearing His name. Paul summarizes that all of this saving work from beginning to end is the work of God and His grace. Therefore, we must be counted worthy and walk worthy of the effectual call of God. Conclusion: So, what have we learned today that refines our beliefs and guides our lifestyles? Basic Concepts of Faith and Practice: [Slide 15] Paul's prayer starts at the end, where those rewarded for obeying the gospel are glorifying Christ. So, his prayer is that they would walk the only path that leads to them glorifying Christ in the air at His return. He prays that God counts them worthy and that they walk worthy of God's effectual call on their lives. So that they can glorify Christ and in His name be glorified themselves. Of course, all of this is according to the grace of God and Jesus Christ. Since this is the only path that delivers believers to His side, and since all true believers will meet Him in the air, this is the path all true believers must walk. So, we too must be counted worthy and walk worthy of the effectual call of God. But what does all this mean, and how do we do it? 1.) [Slide 16] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that all of salvation is by the grace of God. a. Understanding God's grace is perhaps one of the greatest personal lessons the Lord has taught me since being your pastor. b. Ten years ago, I understood God's grace to be, mostly, kindness. c. But I now realize how cheap my understanding of grace really was. d. I heartily affirmed the definition, unmerited favor… but truthfully didn't comprehend exactly what that meant. e. And even understanding the words can lead us right back to… kindness. God is kind to us and we don't deserve it. f. But as I studied, I realized that this is really a drop in the bucket of what God's grace really is. g. Others have said, God's Riches At Christ's Expense. A fine definition. But, alas, it could simply mean… kindness. God gives His riches through Christ's sacrifice to us because He is kind to us. h. But all these definitions fall short of a biblically consistent view of the word… grace. i. Let me define it with a word picture. j. Imagine you are sailing in an motorless sailboat on the Mediterranean Sea. While heading for your destination, the wind suddenly stops. No matter how many sails you unfurl and in which direction, there is no wind to catch. You are stranded. In this position, you are completely subject to the wind. Nothing you do can actually affect your progress toward your destination. Suddenly, a strong wind kicks up and pushes you, not to the destination you wanted to go, but to another. When you land you find out that the destination you desired was overrun by bandits and everyone there was killed. k. This is a great illustration of God's grace. e. God's grace is His power which He grants to people according to His free will, to enable them to be, receive, or do something which they are unable and unwilling to be, get, or do on their own. l. Since we are sinners from birth, children of wrath, and sons of our father the devil, we are not righteous and we do not even seek God. The destination we wish to go is toward a city destined for destruction. m. God's grace fills our sails and propels us toward a destination of His own choosing. We don't seek Him, He seeks us. n. Now, there are certainly aspects of human agency. We are commanded to repent. We are commanded to believe on Christ and what He has accomplished. We are commanded to walk worthy of the calling we've been given. o. But we must recognize that no matter what we are commanded to do, without God's power which He gives when and to whom He chooses, we can never obey any of those commands. We cannot even obey the command of the gospel to believe on Christ, without God's grace first enabling us to do so. p. That is what Paul means when he says that salvation is by grace, through faith, not of ourselves, but a gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. q. Grace comes first, like a wind, unseen and not in our control. Then once we are moved by grace, we can believe in Christ, and we are saved. r. In this way, as Paul makes clear in this passage, all glory goes to God for our salvation. For even our belief would not be possible if He did not enable us to believe. s. And since salvation is by grace, it produces a predictable trajectory of every single believer's salvation, which leaves no room for interruption or uncertainty. 2.) [Slide 17] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that the events of salvation are an identical unbroken chain beginning with God's foreknowledge and ending with our glorification. a. This passage, as I have already said, has a lot of similarities to both Romans 8:29-30 and Philippians 2:12-13. Since Paul wrote all three of these texts and one around the same time as he wrote 2 Thessalonians, I took the liberty of cobbling together the sequence of salvation according to Paul. b. [Slide 18] On the screen behind me, Romans 8 is in blue, 2 Thessalonians 1 is in red, and Philippians 2 is in purple. The italicized words in black are merely words I have filled in to help connect the contexts together. c. This is the redemptive story of every single person who God has elected for salvation. And not only does every single believer follow this sequence, there is no interruption or break. Meaning if the sequence is truly started by God, it will not end until it is completed. d. Let's look… e. Those whom He foreknew, He also predestined... and those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (counted worthy of His call and His Kingdom) and those whom He justified, He also… conformed to the image of His Son by completing in power their resolve for good and every work of faith to work out their own salvation in fear and trembling for it is God who is at work in [them} both to will and to work for His good pleasure and those whom He conformed to the image of His Son, The name of the Lord Jesus will be glorified in [them] and He also (will glorify) glorified [them] in Him so that all His salvation from beginning to end is according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. f. From God's foreknowledge or His foreordination, to His glorifying us in Christ, and everything in between, it is one unbroken chain. g. Those whom God foreordained will be glorified. h. Since this is true… what must we do? 3.) [Slide 19] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must pray that God completes our salvation. a. Just because He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it, does not mean we don't need to pray for our own and one another's salvation. b. Oftentimes when we talk about praying for others to be saved, we mean for them to be justified. c. Certainly, from what we just saw, this is not a bad thing. For if they are justified, they will be glorified. d. But Paul provides a pattern for us. He is reasonably sure that the Thessalonian church is elect of God because He saw the gospel come upon them in the power of the Holy Spirit. He has seen them grow. He has seen them mature. e. And yet, both his letters to them are FILLED with prayers for them to be saved… ultimately. f. We are often tempted to stop praying for someone when they profess Christ. Because, try as we might, we still think of salvation as a one-time, check box experience. g. My friends… Our salvation is ongoing. We are still being saved. We are still being reordered. We are still being redeemed. h. God has more for us in this great salvation. i. So let us continue to pray for one another. That we would continue to be saved, and that God would save us fully and completely one day. j. Pray through the member directory. Pray through the prayer list. Pray that God would keep saving everyone on that list who has made a profession. k. Just because we believe that God will preserve all those whom He has elected to salvation… doesn't mean we stop praying when we see one event of that salvation occur. l. Indeed, our salvation isn't done… In many ways – especially for us – it has only just begun. 4.) [Slide 20] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must walk worthy of God's effectual call. a. Since God has us on this new path, a path we are guaranteed to walk if we are truly called by Him… b. Then we must walk the path! c. The certainty of our salvation does not produce passivity… it produces action! d. And the greatest part is… God supplies our desire and our ability to be what He wants us to be! e. He doesn't leave the tending of or progression in our salvation to our passions or power. He supplies that to us! f. So with an assured outcome of success – RISE UP CHRISTIAN and walk worthy of the name of Jesus Christ. g. It is a name above every name… and He has given it … TO YOU! h. He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings… and He has given YOU His name. i. So get off the bench! It is time to live uprightly. It is time to obey His commands. It is time to make disciples. It is time to serve each other. It is time to share the gospel. It is time to grow in the knowledge of Christ. j. GET IN THE GAME! There is no fear of failure. k. In fact… 5.) [Slide 21] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” When God calls us, He is faithful to complete us, and glorify us. a. Is there a greater comfort available? b. We often talk about salvation in reference to sin. And we should. That is a message that often gets neglected in many churches today. c. We are saved from sin's power, penalty, and eventually its very presence. d. And I still believe that one of the greatest parts of heaven is never dealing with temptation again. e. But listen… f. God's plan for your salvation is not so narrow. g. He will honor you. Not because you deserve it. Not because you've earned it. But because CHRIST has earned it and given you HIS NAME! h. We will reign with Christ. i. We will be part of a council where we contribute to the rule of His eternal kingdom. j. We will judge angels. k. We will be in the royal court. Dukes, duchesses, princes and princesses. l. My friends. We went from children of wrath… to royalty. How? The King left heaven and sought for Himself a bride. He purchased Her with His precious blood. And He will come back for Her and take Her to His Kingdom. m. Is there a greater comfort available my friends? n. If there is… I don't think my heart could take it. For this comfort… leaves me… speechless. 6.) [Slide 22] Evangelism: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” You can't do anything to save yourself or force God to save you. You must be called. a. This is a difficult message for you to hear. b. Why? c. Because even though it is something you should do… ultimately, you can't do it. d. God must do it. e. The application… is humility. f. In order to be called of God, you must be counted worthy of the call… by God. g. Again, counted worthy is not something you earn or something you inherently have. Counted worthy is a legal verdict implying that you are not actually what you have been counted to be. h. And indeed, the first step of obeying the gospel… the first step in any person who is being called of God, is to recognize your wickedness and unworthiness. i. As a negative example, the rich young ruler came to Jesus wanting to know how to enter the Kingdom of heaven. He called Jesus a good teacher, to which Jusus asked, why do you call me good, there is none good but God. An interesting statement designed to get the young man thinking about whether or not he understood what goodness really was. Of course this goes right over his head, so Jesus answers his original question. Jesus told him that he must keep the law. Jesus even gives examples of some of the laws that it is impossible to break secretly, like not murdering, committing adultery, lying, or loving others as he loves himself. Really this is the last 6 commands of the 10 emphasizing human relationships to one another. It is true, in the sense that a person must perfectly keep the whole law to be worthy of God's Kingdom. But, again, this was a gambit, a riddle designed to get the young man to consider how sinful he really was; to humble him. But again, it goes right over his head, because he assures Jesus that he had kept all of these laws from his youth. So, Jesus applies the first half of the 10 commandments and tells the young man to sell all that he has and follow Him. Thus, showing that he loves God with all of himself. Of course, the young man goes away sorrowful because he realizes that he does not love God more than he loves his money. ii. Interestingly, some scholars think that this rich young man was actually Saul of Tarsus. The author of this book we are studying now. i. What the rich young man needed, and what Paul received on the road to Damascus, was the sudden and abrupt understanding of how far from God they actually were. j. And that is the real application here. k. My friend… there is NOTHING you can do to force God to save you from His own wrath. He is just to send you to eternal death away from His mercy and His saving power. l. There isn't a prayer you can pray, a list of facts you can believe, or a lifestyle you can live that will force God to call you to be His child. m. You must be counted worthy of His call. That is the position you are in. Utterly… and completely… helpless. n. And the interesting thing about that… is that those who arrive at this conclusion. When you are truly convinced that there is nothing you can do… that is usually the first evidence… that God is calling you. o. Why? p. Because natural man never concludes that he is helpless. Natural man always assumes he is able to do something. How do I know that? q. Out of every single movie where mankind faces an insurmountable enemy that cannot be beaten, how many movies do you know where mankind goes extinct and that is the end of the story? r. Every single religion in the world and even some strands of Christianity teach that you can earn by works what God is offering. If you just do X,Y, and Z then you will get what God offers. s. Christianity teaches that the thing you must do… is be perfect. And since you can't do that… there is nothing you can do to get salvation from God. t. No… He has to do it all. u. Perhaps, today, you are realizing this for the first time. You, unlike the rich young ruler, have recognized how helpless you are to get salvation from God. v. This friends, is evidence that God may be calling you. How does He link you to the verdict of “worthy”? When He enables you to obey the gospel, abandon your sin, and believe on Jesus Christ as your Savior and your King. w. Won't you step out and obey the gospel today? Won't you fall on His mercy and hope in His grace? Won't you believe on Christ? x. If that is you today – don't leave without talking to an Elder or someone you know to be a Christian. [Slide 23 (end)] Let me close with a prayer by the Puritan Phillip Doddridge. Ever-blessed fountain of natural and spiritual life! I thank you that I live, and that I may live a faith-filled life. I bless you that you breathe into me your own living breath. Though I was once dead in my sins, now I have become a living soul, in a sense that is unique to your own children. But I do not just want to live. I want to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). So I beg you to form my mind in the image of faith. Do not let me misunderstand grace, measuring my growth in grace by a natural yardstick. Let me experience your love even more, with unreserved resignation to your wise and holy will, and a greater care for others. Strengthen my soul as you help me grow in patience, in humility and zeal, and in a heavenly attitude. Give me a concern to be accepted by you (2 Corinthians 5:9). Whether I live or die, let everything I do be for your glory. You know I hunger and thirst after righteousness. Make me whatever you want me to be. Draw your image on my soul. By the gentle influences of your Spirit, trace every feature which your eye, o Heavenly Father, may enjoy, and which you may see as your own image. I know I am not yet where I should be. I am far from being already perfect. But after the great example of the apostle, I forget what lies behind, and strain forward to what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13). Feed my soul by your word and by your Spirit. …As a newborn babe, I desire the sincere milk of the word, that by it I may grow 1 Peter 2:2). And may my progress be obvious to all (1 Timothy 4:15) until I finally reach maturity, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). And after having enjoyed the pleasure of those that flourish in your courts below, I will come to live in the paradise above! I ask and hope this through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ-to whom be glory, both now and forever. Amen. Benediction: And now hear from the God Who dwells in the heavenly Zion: Blessed is the one Who He chooses to dwell in His courts, For He will satisfy your house with goodness and by awesome deeds, Answer all who trust in Him with a hearty Amen! Until we meet again, Grace and Peace to you.

We are blessed with every spiritual blessing. 3 in one - lives IN US! Father, Son and Holy Spirit, living inside each one of us. We are hidden in Jesus. We are chosen in Christ. The foulest thing is covered by the blood of Jesus - He has done it all! Christ IN us means we have all authority over evil. The church is meant to reflect who God is. Let's build the oil of intimacy with Jesus - through prayer, so that we are equipped to reflect Him in our witness, proclaiming, loving and serving.

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

He is Risen!   "Raised with Christ" Ephesians 1:12-23   Sermon recorded April 5th, 2026   Caleb Click Lead Pastor Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church Birmingham, AL

4-26-2026 Worship ServicePreacher - Josh RoweMessage Title - "Walk As the New Man That You Are in Christ"Text - Ephesians 4:17-24Looking for a church family?We invite you to grow with us!At Monroeville Christian Church, we are committed to teaching the Word of God, training disciples of our Lord, and transforming lives for Christ through our times of worship, fellowship, and service.Subscribe to receive our latest messages: https://www.youtube.com/@MonroevillechristianchurchConnect Card: https://monroevillechristianchurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/510703 CONNECT WITH US:• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/monroevillechristianchurch/• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MonroevilleChristianChurch • X/Twitter - https://x.com/MonroevilleCC • Website - https://www.monroevillechristianchurch.com/ Give Online: https://monroevillechristianchurch.churchcenter.com/givingCCLI Copyright License - 139774CCLI Streaming License - 20715699#PittsburghBibleStudy #PittsburghChurch#MonroevilleChristianChurch#Christian #ChurchOfChrist #Church#ChristianChurch #ForMonroeville #ThePlaceToBe#TeachTrainTransform #church #churchonline#biblestudy #biblestudyonline #biblestudyfellowship#MonroevilleChurch #churchonline #ChurchinMonroevillePA #ChristiansOnly#Sermons #BibleLessons #Gospel #JesusChrist #God

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Welcome to Sylvan Way and thanks for joining us as we worship Jesus! Who Are You in Christ? | Ephesians 1:1–2 Sermon on Christian Identity Who are you, really? In a world that tells you to build your identity through success, performance, status, and approval, Ephesians points us in a completely different direction. In Ephesians 1:1–2, Paul reminds believers that identity precedes activity. Before he tells us how to live, he reminds us who we are in Christ. In this message, we look at three powerful words from Paul's opening: apostle, saints, and faithful in Christ. This sermon will help you see: You are called, not self-made You are set apart, not common You are faithful in Christ, not sustained by self-effort If you have ever struggled with failure, shame, purpose, or trying to prove yourself, this message is for you. Your identity is not built on what you do for God, but on what God has done for you in Christ. Big Idea: Who you are in Christ defines how you live, not the other way around. Scripture: Ephesians 1:1–2 If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to be reminded who they are in Christ. Where we seek to Love God, Love Others, and Live on Mission. We are a church that strives to live fully for Jesus, while sharing His story with others. To learn more: sylvanway.com Send us your prayer requests & comments: sylvanway.com/connect To partner with us through giving: sylvanway.com/give

Loved in Christ | Ephesians 3:14-21

Join us as we close out our Ephesians sermon series! Pastor Landon Smith will preach in Ephesians 6:21-24 on the encouragement of God and the Church as a friend closer than a brother!

Join us as Pastor Robbie Ballentine shares this powerful sermon unpacking what it means to be "bought and paid for" in Christ. Drawing from Hebrews 9:12–15, Ephesians 1:3, Galatians 3:10–14, Titus 2:14, Colossians 1:13, and 1 Peter 1:13–19, this message explores how Jesus' sacrifice secures our redemption, removes the curse, and ushers us into an eternal inheritance. We examine: The once-for-all payment of Christ's blood (Hebrews 9:12–15) and why it changes everything for believers. The spiritual blessings and inheritance we receive in Christ (Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 1:13). How the law's curse is reversed and faith becomes our righteousness (Galatians 3:10–14). The purpose of Christ's rescue: to present a people devoted to good works (Titus 2:14). Living as redeemed people: sober hope, holy conduct, and steadfast faith (1 Peter 1:13–19). What to expect: Scripture-led exposition, practical application for daily living, and encouragement to live as those bought by grace. Whether you're exploring faith or seeking renewed hope, this sermon points you to the cost and the gift of redemption. Subscribe for more sermons and teaching. If this message encouraged you, please like, comment, and share the replay to bless someone else.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com      Sermon Psalm 103:5    who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. NIV   Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. KJV   He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle's! NLT       Desires/mouth/Glory/years/….souls desires -  the inner most parts of a person.            With good things • The “good things” are both spiritual and tangible. Notice the catalog earlier in the psalm: – Forgiveness of iniquity (v 3) – Healing of diseases (v 3) – Redemption from the pit (v 4) – Crowning with loving devotion and compassion (v 4) • God never rations goodness. “He who did not spare His own Son…how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). • Every blessing in the heavenly realms is already ours in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).     Youth GK - Juvenality, young youthful (youth in all that you are. Energy, mindset, optimist)   Eagle A symbol of strength and renewal in the Bible, the eagle is often used to depict God's provision and the renewal of strength for those who trust in Him.  

The Mystery of Christ | Jeff White | March 22, 2026https://www.newcityep.com

2026 Palm Sunday "Chosen in Christ" Ephesians 1:3-6 Sermon recorded March 29th, 2026 Caleb Click Lead Pastor Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church Birmingham, AL

Palm Sunday exposes the gap between what people expect God to do and what He has actually done. A crowd welcomed Jesus with confidence, convinced their king had arrived to fulfill their expectations, yet “by Friday, they were all gone” and “by Sunday, when Jesus walked out of the tomb, he walked out alone.” The same tension appears wherever belief is shaped by expectation instead of reality. The deeper struggle is not disappointment but confusion about why faith does not fully come together. The honest question underneath it all is simple: “Why doesn't it all come together?” This reveals a gap between what is known about God and what is experienced in daily life. David shows that this gap is not failure but a call to dependence. A king who had seen victory still prayed, “For the sake of Your name, LORD, revive me… bring my soul out of trouble.” Real faith does not disconnect but asks God for inner renewal. The Shunammite woman shows the danger of pretending everything is fine when it is not. Saying things are well when they are not is not faith but avoidance. Honest faith brings reality before God and follows where He is actually moving. The root problem is not circumstances but spiritual death that has already been addressed. Scripture says, “And you were dead in your offenses and sins,” but “God… made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:1–5 NASB 2020). The gap can close because the root has already been dealt with. Holy Week is an invitation to stay close enough to see what God has done. Prayer, fasting, and gathering are not rituals but a way to move beyond the moment. As you reflect on this message this week, consider the following: 1. Why doesn't it all come together?Where are you experiencing a gap between what you believe about God and what you are actually experiencing in your life? Instead of ignoring it, bring that tension honestly before God. 2. “Revive me… bring my soul out of trouble.”Are you trying to fix your situation externally, or are you asking God to do a work inside you? What would it look like this week to genuinely ask for inner renewal instead of just outward change? 3. Stay for the meaning, not just the moment.Are you engaging with God only when things feel powerful or emotional, or are you willing to stay close even when things are unclear? How can you intentionally lean into prayer, fasting, and community this week to see what God is actually doing? The post Palm Sunday appeared first on Revival Life Church Boca Raton, FL.

Barriers to the gospel turn into beacons for the gospel when we are captivated by God's grace in the gospel.

There is no ‘us' and ‘them' in the church, only one body built upon Christ for his glory.

Who Are You Becoming? (Part 3): The Power of Focus That Transforms Your Life What if the most important question in your life isn't what you're doing… but who you're becoming? In this final episode of his 3-part series on the power of focus, Rob Skinner shares a powerful message from a recent sermon in Boston about how your attention shapes your character—and ultimately your life. Most people focus on external things: Career Money Success Future plans But the Bible calls us to ask a deeper question: Who am I becoming? In 2 Corinthians 3, the Apostle Paul teaches that as we contemplate the Lord, we are transformed into His image. That word "contemplate" means to gaze, reflect, and give sustained attention. In other words: You become what you focus on. The Transformation Process When you fix your attention on Jesus, something powerful happens. His character begins to form in you: • Love • Joy • Peace • Patience • Kindness • Goodness • Faithfulness • Gentleness • Self-control (Galatians 5:22–23) This is the goal of the Christian life—not just to believe in Jesus, but to become like Him. The Michelangelo Illustration Rob shares a powerful illustration from Michelangelo. When asked how he created the statue of David, Michelangelo said: "I simply chipped away everything that was not David." That's exactly what Jesus does in our lives. As we focus on Him, He begins to chip away: • Pride • Fear • Selfishness • Sin Until Christ is formed in us. Christ-Focused Reading Rob shares a practical habit to help you grow: Christ-focused reading Spend time slowly reading and reflecting on passages that reveal the character of God and Jesus, such as: • Exodus 34:6–7 – God's compassion and grace • Romans 5 – God's love demonstrated through Christ • Ephesians 1 – Your identity and blessings in Christ • Philippians 2 – The humility of Jesus • Colossians 1 – The supremacy of Christ • Romans 8 – Life in the Spirit Don't rush. Read slowly. Reflect deeply. Repeat often. Because transformation happens through consistent exposure to truth. Your Life Follows Your Focus We live in a world where everything is competing for your attention. But you have a choice: You choose your focus. And when your focus changes, your life begins to change. So today, ask yourself: Where are my eyes going? Then gently bring them back to Jesus. Support the Podcast If this episode encouraged you:

This week Pastor Mike examines how the work of Christ radically unifies those who were once far-off and hostile toward one another and forms them into a diverse-and-united community.

Join us as Pastor Tyler Wilkins continues our sermon series in Ephesians!

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In Christ: Who We Are and How We Live - Walking in the Light of Christ | Ephesians 5:1-21 | Brad Gerrity | March 1, 2026

Get your copy of our 2026 Annual Read: Tozer on the Son of God by A.W. Tozer.First Time?Start Here: https://bit.ly/MarinersconnectcardCan we pray for you? https://bit.ly/MarinersPrayerOnlineYou can find information for all our Mariners congregations, watch more videos, and learn more about us and our ministries on our website https://bit.ly/MarinersChurchSite.FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marinerschurch• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marinerschurch• Twitter: https://twitter.com/marinerschurch• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marinerschurchSupport the ministry and help us reach people worldwide: https://bit.ly/MarinersGive

Life constantly tempts us to measure contentment by what we lack—but Scripture tells a different story. This Christian devotional explores how God is more than enough, even in a culture driven by comparison, accumulation, and the constant pursuit of “more.” Rooted in Psalm 4:7, this devotion invites believers to rediscover joy, peace, and lasting satisfaction found not in possessions, but in a secure relationship with God. Highlights Contentment grows when we focus on what God provides, not what we lack God’s joy surpasses material abundance and worldly success Gratitude reshapes our perspective in seasons of comparison True security comes from God, not possessions or financial stability Spiritual blessings in Christ are eternal and unshakeable God’s promises bring peace even in uncertain circumstances When we have God, we truly have more than enough Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: More Than Enough By Cindi McMenamin Bible Reading:“You have put gladness in my heart,More than when their grain and new wine abound.” (Psalm 4:7 NASB) I remember the day we were driving home from a store, and my teenage daughter was complaining to me about all that she didn’t have—a new car like the one being driven by her 16-year-old friend who just got her driver’s license, expansive homes her friends lived in with more rooms than their families needed, the latest electronic gadgets, brand-name clothing, the highest-priced handbags. Weary of constantly being reminded of what we didn’t have that her friends’ families did, I finally blew! “Do you realize what we do have?” I snapped. “You have a roof over your head, and these days, that should be enough!” Apparently, my words struck a chord with her. Her face fell, and she sadly told me of another one of her friends who was losing her home due to her parents’ job loss. Immediately, my tone softened as I realized my daughter had already been convicted by her own words. We prayed for the family that was losing their hom,e and then I silently prayed for wisdom to turn that topic into a teaching moment. “You know, Sweetie,” I told her softly, as I continued to drive, “a lot of people around us are losing their homes. That’s why it’s important for us to not only think about what we have and be grateful for it, but to focus on what we have that we will never lose.” She looked at me, puzzled, for a moment. And then she got it. We immediately began to recount all that we have that can never be taken from us: The love we have for each other in our family The memories we’ve had in our three-bedroom condo (and the small two-bedroom home we owned prior to that) The unconditional love of God (Romans 5:8) The gift of our salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9) A promised mansion in Eternity (John 14:2-3) I realized that day that my daughter is not the only one who often wishes she had more. It’s easy for me, at times, to look at what others have and be envious. It’s natural for me to sometimes wish I had a little more money to indulge in my desires. But so often I forget all I do have…and that it is more than enough. So often, we go through life looking at what others have and wondering when our ship will come in. Then we remember we have a God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), a God who has gone to prepare a place for us and who will come again and receive us to Himself so that where He is, we will be—forever (John 14:3). In Psalm 4, David begins his song by asking God for relief from his distress. But then he must have remembered what he had, because he finished his song with a perspective of joy: “You have put joy in my heart,More than when their grain and new wine are abundant.In peace I will both lie down and sleep,For You alone, Lord, have me dwell in safety” (verses 7-8). In The Message translation, verse 7 reads: “I have God’s more-than-enough, more joy in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees.” That sounds like a song I should be singing every day that I begin to forget my blessings and start longing for more. Intersecting Faith & Life: God is our true source of security in an insecure world…and He is the Only One who satisfies in a culture where we can never seem to get enough. When we have Him—along with His promises for provision, protection, and peace—we have “more than enough.” Can you draw strength from knowing that you have God’s more-than-enough, even if at times it doesn’t look like quite enough? Thank Him today for all that you have, as well as for the blessings that you don’t yet see. The Bible says if we belong to Christ, God has blessed us in the heavenly realm with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). And if we “share in His sufferings” we are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). Joint heirs with God! Think about that. We are heirs of all that is His. Now that’s an inheritance. That’s a future. And that is more than enough. Further Reading:Ephesians 1:3-14 For a daily awareness of all you have in your relationship with Christ, see Cindi’s book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.