Podcasts about Ephesus

People do not live differently until they see differently. In Week 6 of our Ephesians series, Pastor Ken teaches from Ephesians 4:25-32, showing how the Christian life is not about behavior modification but transformation through a new identity in Christ. Paul challenges believers to put off the old self and put on the new self through honesty, self-control, generosity, encouragement, kindness, and forgiveness. This practical message reveals how a changed heart produces a changed life and how the Gospel not only saves us but teaches us how to treat others. Whether you're struggling with anger, relationships, forgiveness, or simply seeking spiritual growth, this message offers biblical wisdom for living as a child of light in a dark world. Scripture: Ephesians 1:18 Ephesians 4:17-32 Listen, share, and grow with us as we continue our journey through Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus.

▶SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernHillsLV▶Do you know Jesus as your Savior? https://www.southernhillslv.com/the-gospel▶ DONATE: https://pushpay.com/g/southernhills?src=hpp&r=monthly▶ Visit Southern Hills: https://www.southernhillslv.com/▶ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southernhillslv▶ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernhillslv/Pastor Josh Teis is the founder and senior pastor of Southern Hills Church in Las Vegas. He has a Masters Degree in Bible Exposition from Pensacola Theological Seminary, and he is a Master of Divinity with Liberty University. He coaches pastors in practical leadership and time management and is a nationally sought-after speaker. #joshteissermon #bibleteaching #southernhillschurch #churchsouthwestlasvegas #bible #prayer #Christian

In Part 1 of our Colossians series, we explore the central message of Paul's letter: the absolute supremacy and total sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Written from a Roman prison to a church Paul had never personally visited, Colossians was sent to strengthen believers living in a culture saturated with idols, competing philosophies, and spiritual deception. We unpack the historical context of Colossae and Ephesus, where the gospel spread powerfully throughout Asia Minor and directly challenged the worship of the goddess Diana, disrupting both culture and commerce. Through Paul's opening words, we discover that spiritual growth happens when grace and truth work together. Truth confronts what is out of order in our lives, while grace gives us the time, patience, and power to grow into all God has called us to be. This episode lays the foundation for understanding why Christ alone is enough and why proclaiming His supremacy remains as countercultural today as it was in the first century. ______________________________________________________________________________________ NEW HERE? We'd love to connect with you. Text "NEW" to 323-405-3232 SERMON NOTES: www.bible.com/organizations/f223…-a8fc-3297da42c26a - Or Text: "SERMON" To: 323-405-3232 CONNECT WITH US: Hopeland Website: www.hopelandla.com Hopeland Podcast: @steinbot-519314947 Hopeland YouTube: www.youtube.com/@hopelandchurch Hopeland Facebook: @hopelandla Hopeland Instagram: @hopeland.church To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people with the gospel click here: hopelandla.com/give or Text "Donate" to 323-405-3232. Or, choose a giving option here: - Venmo: @Hopeland-Church - CashApp: $HopelandChurch - Zelle: shawn@hopelandla.com

Part 1 of our series, Jesus Revealed: Letters to the Church. Thanks for listening to this message from New Life Church. In this message, Pastor Joel Solomon kicks off our series on exploring how Jesus reveals Himself through the seven letters to the churches in Revelation. This message was recorded at New Life Church | Kempsville in Virginia Beach, VA.

Sunday, June 14, 2026Ears to Hear: Listening for the Voice of Christ"Ephesus: A Forgetful Church" - Tyler TankersleySermon based on Revelation 2:1-7(reading by Julie West)

2 Timothy 1:15–18 [15] This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. [16] The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; [17] but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. [18] The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.

While many would attest to wanting to see more freedom and hope in their lives, the truth is that even good change can be challenging to process. When the Gospel's power in Ephesus was upending the local economy, those resistant to change came after the believers. Where is God in the middle of change? How can we seek and trust Him while others are uncomfortable... or hostile? 

Send us Fan MailSome Bible arguments fall apart the moment you ask one question: what do you do with the words on the page? We take a hard look at Ephesians 1 and push back on the claim that predestination is “just for the Jews.” Paul is writing to Christians in Ephesus, and he keeps circling the same drumbeat: those who are in Christ are chosen, adopted, and given an inheritance according to the good pleasure of God's will.From there we go straight into the tension people try to avoid. If God “works all things after the counsel of his own will,” what exactly is left out of “all things”? We talk election, adoption, and salvation by grace, but we also deal honestly with the flip side, the reality that not everyone is saved. That leads us into the objections about fairness, free will, and whether a loving God can still judge. We also unpack “vessels of honor and dishonor,” and why Scripture does not ground that distinction in ethnicity but in belief in Christ.We bring in the big texts that shape Reformed theology and Calvinism conversations: “chosen before the foundation of the world,” the book of life language in Revelation, “many are called, few are chosen,” and Romans 8:28-30 with foreknown, predestined, called, justified, and glorified. Along the way, we test popular slogans like “equal opportunity salvation” against what these passages actually say, and we ask what truly makes one person believe while another refuses.If you care about biblical doctrine, God's sovereignty, and the meaning of grace, this one will make you think. Subscribe for more, share the episode with someone who loves debating predestination and free will, and leave a review with the verse you think is hardest to answer.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Today we'll be looking at the Lord's postcard to the church in Ephesus in Revelation chapter two. While they were commended for some things, they had walked away from their first love. Their love had grown cold. It happened to the Ephesians and it's still happening to Christians today. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1368/29?v=20251111

1 Corinthians 15:29–34 (ESV) 29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. LIVE IN THE PEACE ANDPLEASURE OF ANTICIPATING YOUR FUTURE RESURRECTED LIFE WITH CHRIST AND REMAIN VIGILANTAGAINST THE DECEIT OF THE PERISHING PLEASURE OF SIN IN THIS LIFEPEOPLE KNOW THERE ISLIFE AFTER DEATH, THAT'S WHY SOME SEEK SALVATION TO LATE (v29) WE KNOW THERE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH, THAT'S WHY ARE SATISFIED TOSUFFER DAILY IN ANTICIPATION (v30-32)    WE MUST APPLY WHAT WE KNOW, IN OUR THEOLOGY , IN OUR COMPANY, AND IN OUR MISSION (v32-34)  

Seven Letters of Revelation Series In this episode, we explore Jesus' letter to the church in Ephesus from Revelation 2—a powerful message about truth, endurance, and the danger of losing our first love. While the Ephesians were commended for their hard work, perseverance, and rejection of false teaching, Jesus lovingly challenges them to return to what matters most: a genuine love for God and for people. We unpack how faith without love can drift into empty religion, and why love is the foundation that holds everything together. From practical expressions of compassion to the promise of eternal life, this episode is a call to refocus, repent, and let love lead in every part of our lives. Nothing can separate us from God's love—so let's not lose sight of it.

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Dr. Jori discusses with her listeners  Paul's exhortation to the believers in Ephesus to be strong in the LORD and in the strength of HIS might.  Scripture References: Ephesians 6:10; Acts 18-19; Ephesians 1:3-19; Ephesians 4:1-2; Ephesians 5:1-2; Ephesians 6:10-18; Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:9 Scripture translation used is the NASB “Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995, 2020 (only use the last year corresponding to the edition quoted) by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org”CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S NEW PODCAST- The First Love ProjectHere is the video introducing the podcast on You Tube-https://youtu.be/PhFY1moDDmsHERE IS A LINK TO THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR FIRST LOVE PROJECThttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdaujk1npuKR0BLSkTlKyxmuxavrZQHM6&si=dC10K4Qdh0xMKElU FIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishaffer DAILY MUSICAL DEVOTIONAL BY THE WORSHIP INITIATIVE:Text SING to 79316CHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain  Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a commission, at no extra cost to you,  if you decide to make a purchase through my links.Here is a link to some of my favorite bible study tools on Amazon:https://geni.us/cHtrfEMr. Pen Bible Journaling Kitshttps://lvnta.com/lv_PTrHSCogbRim4yhEDnhttps://lvnta.com/lv_mkaMOuGe6m4oHR88uqhttps://lvnta.com/lv_dgvsxOc99t663A628z  BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com   Support the show

The religion and commerce of Ephesus worked hand in hand. Therefore, the people resisted Paul's teachings at first because of the impact on his teachings on their economy.

"St Cyril was... from Alexandria, born about the year 376, the nephew of Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who also instructed the Saint in his youth. Having first spent much time with the monks of Nitria, he later became the successor to his uncle's throne in 412. In 429, when Cyril heard tidings of the teachings of the new Patriarch of Constantinople, Nestorius, he began attempting through private letters to bring Nestorius to renounce his heretical teachings about the Incarnation; and when the heresiarch did not repent, Saint Cyril, together with Pope Celestine of Rome, led the Orthodox opposition to his error. Saint Cyril presided over the Third Ecumenical Council of the 200 holy Fathers in the year 431, who gathered in Ephesus under Saint Theodosius the Younger. At this Council, by his most wise words he put to shame and convicted the impious doctrine of Nestorius, who, although he was in town, refused to appear before Cyril. Saint Cyril, besides overthrowing the error of Nestorius, has left to the Church full commentaries on the Gospels of Luke and John. Having shepherded the Church of Christ for thirty-two years, he reposed in 444." (Great Horologion)   Today we commemorate St Cyril's repose. He is also commemorated on January 18, the date of his restoration to his see in Alexandria after he had been driven out by Nestorians.

Charles G. Robinette | Apostolic Mentoring PodcastWhat if the greatest revival in human history will begin the same way the Church began?In this powerful and prophetic teaching, International Evangelist Charles G. Robinette explores the biblical pattern of Gateway City Outpourings and reveals why God has repeatedly chosen strategic cities to ignite worldwide revival.From Jerusalem to Antioch, from Ephesus to Rome, from Azusa Street 1906 to the prophetic possibilities of our generation, discover how one outpouring in a strategic city can impact entire nations and accelerate the fulfillment of Joel 2:28, Matthew 24:14, and Revelation 7:9.Could God once again be preparing to pour out His Spirit in major gateway cities around the world?Could millions be born again in those cities while billions are impacted globally?This message is more than history. It is a call to repentance, apostolic unity, prophetic prayer, bold faith, and Kingdom collaboration in preparation for the greatest end-time harvest the world has ever seen.Charles also delivers a sobering prophetic challenge to the modern Church, warning against the destructive influence of fear, jealousy, and control, and calling believers to embrace faith, humility, and complete dependence upon the Holy Ghost.If you have been praying for global revival, world evangelism, end-time harvest, or a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, this message will challenge your thinking and inspire your faith.Topics Include:• Gateway Cities in the Book of Acts• Why Pentecost began in Jerusalem• Antioch and the multiplication of revival• Azusa Street and modern Pentecostal history• Why strategic cities matter in global evangelism• Twelve potential gateway cities for end-time outpouring• Apostolic unity and Partnership of Faith• The prophetic significance of Revelation 7:9• The call to reach every tribe, tongue, people, and nation• How the Church can prepare for the greatest harvest in historyThe harvest is ready.The nations are gathering.The Spirit is still being poured out.Will the Church prepare for BILLIONS?Subscribe to the Apostolic Mentoring Podcast and join us as we equip millions 2 reach billions through apostolic doctrine, Spirit-led ministry, prophetic prayer, and global harvest.#GatewayCities #GlobalHarvest #EndTimeRevival #Pentecost #HolyGhost #Acts238 #Revival #WorldEvangelism #Apostolic #Outpouring #JesusName #RevivalFire #KingdomOfGod #Revelation79 #Joel228 #CharlesGRobinetteWe love to hear from our listeners! Thank you! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1639030158?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_VZBSV9T4GT4AMRWEWXJE&skipTwisterOG=1 Support the showhttps://www.youtube.com/@charlesgrobinettehttps://www.instagram.com/charles.g.robinette/https://author.amazon.com/bookshttps://charlesgrobinette.com/

A sermon preached by Rev. Ginger E. Gaines-Cirelli with Foundry UMC, May 31, 2026, First Sunday after Pentecost, Confirmation Sunday. "We Know Who We Are"series. Texts: Genesis 1:26-2:3; Ephesians 2:4–10 There are some words in scripture that change everything. Not because they're long or unusual. But because they turn the whole story in a different direction. Today's passage contains two of those words: “But God.” Before we can appreciate those words, we need to know what precedes them. In the first 3 verses of Ephesians 2, Paul reminds the church in Ephesus of their old ways of being. The direct translation from the Greek is convoluted and confusing, but Eugene Peterson's interpretation from The Message helps us get the point: “It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live…We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us.” And then…. “But God…” The old story gets interrupted. It moves in a new direction. Which is good news because most of us know something about stories that seem stuck in a rut. Maybe you've carried shame for something you did years ago. Maybe you've convinced yourself that some part of your life is beyond repair. Maybe you've spent so long trying to prove your worth that you've forgotten who you are underneath all the striving. Maybe you've watched the news lately and wondered whether cruelty and greed and fear are simply winning. The story goes one way. But God… That little phrase shows up all over scripture. Human beings build a tower to heaven. But God. Sarah is too old. But God. The sea is in front of them. Pharaohs army is behind them. But God. The disciples lock themselves in a room because they are terrified. But God. The cross stands on a hill outside Jerusalem. But God. Mary Magdalene despaired at the tomb. But God. Again and again, scripture insists that God is never limited by the stories we tell ourselves about what is possible. What a gift. Because one of the stories many of us carry is the story that we have to earn our way. This is so ingrained in our culture and mindset. We learn that story early. We learn it from grades and report cards. From performance reviews. From comparisons. From all the subtle ways the world teaches us to keep score. We absorb these lessons so deeply that eventually we begin to assume that God works this way too. God helps those who help themselves. God rewards the faithful. God blesses the deserving. God keeps score. But this is precisely the story Paul is trying to undo. Our temptation to slide into the world's quid pro quo economy isn't new. And in these few verses, Paul takes pains to refute it—not with an abstract argument, but by showing us, phrase by phrase, who God is and how grace works. So let's move through the text together and listen deeply to the word. Notice where Paul begins. “But God, who is rich in mercy...” Rich in mercy. Before Paul says anything about us, he says something about God. After describing the sorry, lost state of humanity, Paul doesn't say, “But we finally figured it out.” He doesn't say, “But we repented.” He doesn't say, “But we became more faithful.” He doesn't say, “But we got serious about our spiritual lives.” He says, “But God.” The turning point of the story is not a change in us. It is a revelation of who God is. “But God, who is rich in mercy...” Paul could have said simply, “God is merciful.” He doesn't. He says God is plousios (πλούσιος)—in the Greek: rich, abundant, lavish—in mercy. Possessing more mercy than we can imagine. This is so important! Because most of us have been trained to think in terms of scarcity. There's never enough time or money or security or opportunity. There is not enough to go around. There are only so many slices of any pie. And if we're not careful, we start to imagine that God's resources are limited too. Limited patience. Limited forgiveness. Limited love. Limited welcome. Only so many second chances. As though mercy were something God has to budget carefully. As though grace might run out. As though God were standing over us with a ledger, keeping score, calculating whether we've finally earned another chance. But Paul says, “Nope. That's not who God is.” Mercy is not scarce in God. Mercy is abundant in God. God's mercy is not pie—and there's not limited supply! Mercy flows from God as naturally as light from the sun. And lest we miss the point, Paul piles on another phrase: “Out of the great love with which God loved us.” It's almost as though he can't find enough words—mercy, love, grace, kindness. The language keeps overflowing because Paul is trying to describe a reality that exceeds ordinary human calculation. The world understands transaction. But God operates through grace. And perhaps that is why grace is so difficult for us to receive. We know how to earn. We know what it takes to achieve. We know the way to keep score. Many of us have spent our entire lives trying to prove that we are worthy of love, worthy of belonging, worthy of respect, worthy of a place at the table. And some versions of Christianity have reinforced exactly that impulse. Behave yourself and God will bless you. Believe the right things and God will reward you. Get your life together and God will finally accept you. Or the flip side: Mess up and God will punish you. Doubt and God will reject you. Fail and God will turn away. But Paul will have none of it. “By grace you have been saved.” Grace! We are not saved by following the rules or checking the boxes or through achievement or merit. The story isn't about keeping score or about earned interest and love averages. “By grace you have been saved.” Grace. One of the most beautiful insights of the United Methodist movement is that grace starts earlier than we think it does. We tend to imagine that grace begins the moment we become aware of God. But John Wesley said no. Grace was already there. We think grace begins when we decide to follow Jesus. Wesley said no. Grace was already there. We think grace begins when we repent. Wesley said no. Grace was already there. Before faith, grace. Before understanding, grace. Before discipleship, grace. Before baptism, grace. Before confirmation, grace. Long before we know how to pray, grace is already making a way toward us. Long before we know God's name, God knows ours. United Methodists call this prevenient grace—the grace that goes before. The grace that is always preceding us, drawing us, inviting us, wooing us toward life. And I don't know about you, but I find that to be astonishingly good news. Because it means that the story of faith begins not with our searching for God, but with God's refusal to stop searching for us. But Paul isn't finished. He goes further, saying God “made us alive together with Christ.” Alive—not merely forgiven or a little nicer. Alive. This is resurrection language. It is creation language. It's the language of new possibility. This strikes me as especially powerful in a world where so many people are exhausted and carrying grief. Where so many people are overwhelmed by the state of the world and struggling simply to keep their hearts open. Paul speaks a pastoral word into our lives, assuring us that grace is not merely about doing more today to get into heaven someday. Grace is the power that makes us alive right now. Alive to God. Alive to beauty. Alive to joy. Alive to compassion. Alive to possibility and hope. And there is something else here that often gets lost in translation. Paul doesn't say that God made me alive. He says God made us alive. The language throughout this passage is communal. Every “you” in the text is plural. It's not about me; it's about we. Which means the story is not simply about God saving isolated individuals. It is about God creating a people. A community. A new humanity. People shaped not by fear, scarcity, or competition, but rather shaped by grace, abundance, and love. Today, a group of young people will stand before us to profess their faith. And what moves me every year is that confirmation is not fundamentally about private belief. It is about belonging. These young people are not simply saying, “I believe.” They are saying, “This is my people. This is the community in which I will learn what it means to follow Jesus.” And we are saying, “We need you. Your voice, your gifts, your questions, your presence will continue to shape who we become.” Because grace doesn't merely gather individuals. Grace creates a people. Paul addresses this in what he says next. “We are what God has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works...” The Greek word translated here as “what God has made” is poiēma (ποίημα). It's where we get the word poem. You could translate it: We are God's handiwork. God's artistry. God's creative work. And suddenly the echo of Genesis comes into view. The God who formed creation, breathed life into dust, and called it good is still creating, still forming, still calling beauty forth from chaos and light from darkness. We spend so much of our lives trying to make ourselves. Trying to prove ourselves. Trying to justify ourselves. Trying to become enough. Paul says we are not self-made. We are God-made. We are God's handiwork, God's poem. God's art. God's ongoing project. And we are already enough—even as we keep learning and growing. Now, at this point, some people get nervous. If grace is this abundant, if salvation is truly a gift, if God's love comes before we earn it and before we deserve it, then what keeps us from simply doing whatever we want? Paul is clear that we don't earn our salvation. And he is equally clear that God created us for good works. Good works are not the cause of salvation, they are the fruit of salvation, evidence that grace is alive and active within us. Or to put it another way: God doesn't love us because we do good things. We begin to do good things because we have encountered the love of God. Grace is not an excuse to do nothing. Grace is an invitation to participate in what God is doing in the world. Grace is bigger than we think. It is not merely a drop of help when we're struggling or a nudge of encouragement when we're discouraged. It is not a small boost for the spiritual journey. It is the power of God's mercy and love constantly interrupting the stories that diminish life and opening up new possibilities we could never create on our own. And because grace is bigger than we think, it keeps interrupting the stories that tell us life can only go one way. The world says there isn't enough. But God is rich in mercy. The world says you have to earn your place. But God saves by grace. The world says shame gets the last word. But God is great in love. The world says what is dead is dead. But God makes us alive. The world says you're on your own. But God makes us alive together. The world says this is all there is. But God is still creating. Still shaping. Still calling life from dust. Still making all things new. The story was going one way. But God. Thanks be to God. Amen. + + + Keep a daily grace log. At the end of each day, ask: Where did I experience a “But God” moment today? Where did grace go before me? Where did mercy, love, beauty, hope, community, or possibility interrupt the story I expected?

You can do a lot of “right” things and still drift from the one thing Jesus wants most: love that stays alive. Pastor Rusty takes us into Revelation 2 and the message to the church of Ephesus, a community praised for hard work, endurance, and testing false teachers, yet confronted with a piercing line: they lost their first love. That tension feels uncomfortably current for anyone who has served faithfully, stayed the course, and still sensed their heart cooling off.We follow the image of Jesus walking among the lampstands like a priest tending the fire, then trace the Old Testament pattern of consecration and anointing. Blood prepares the ear to hear, the thumb to serve, and the foot to walk straight. Oil empowers what redemption has made possible, pointing to the Holy Spirit as daily supply, not yesterday's memory. Along the way, Pastor Rusty unpacks why Ephesus mattered, how truth and love must stay together, and why orthodoxy without intimacy turns into religion.The takeaway is practical and personal: keep the oil flowing and keep the wicks trimmed. Fresh prayer is intimacy, not a punch clock. Trimming the wick means letting God deal with the slow char of pride, offence, bitterness, distraction, wrong motives, and spiritual fatigue so our lives give light instead of smoke. If you're hungry to be all flame again, press play, share this with a friend, and subscribe and leave a review so more people can find it.

Matt Smethurst preaches Revelation 2:1–7 at River City Baptist Church, a new congregation in Richmond, Virginia. For more information or to get in touch, visit https://rivercityrichmond.org.

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Sunday AM 06-07-2026. Topical Series.

Life has a way of pulling us off center — filling our days with good things, while slowly crowding out the best thing. In this message, Pastor Renaud opens up Revelation 2 and the story of the church at Ephesus to show us what it looks like when activity replaces affection, power replaces presence, and doctrine replaces devotion.  This is your invitation to remember. Repent. Return. Jesus wants to be the center — not just of your Sundays, but of your everyday. And the good news? You don't have to find your way back in your own strength. He's already there, waiting.

Brian Van Eps | Guest Speaker Referenced Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10 Reflection Questions:1. When was the last time you asked, “What should I do now?” 2. What did you do? 3. How do you define the word, “Humble?” 4. How does the, “gift of grace” impact your life today? 5. What are your strengths and weaknesses really? 6. How is God's prompting you to, “Get to Work” lately? What's your next step? Connect: We'd love to connect with you! Fill out our Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any questions: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard Connect: Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children Connect: Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students Give: Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give Gather: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman Gather: Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app Gather: Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman  Chapters (00:00:01) - A Moment of Reckoning(00:06:05) - What Should I Do Now?(00:08:09) - Letter from Paul to the Christians of Ephesus(00:11:27) - Two Gifts of Stay Humble(00:16:19) - The Gift of Grace(00:18:41) - The Gifts of St. Humble(00:20:31) - Stay Humble(00:22:51) - Paul's Message on the Work of Being Yourself(00:29:52) - God has a story for you(00:31:51) - Prayer for the Church

Pastor Adam BowersIn this message, Pastor Adam continues our Revelation series by exploring Jesus' letter to the church in Ephesus. The Ephesian church was known for its strong doctrine, perseverance, and commitment to truth. Yet Jesus confronts them with a sobering warning: they had abandoned their first love. Through the history of Ephesus and the words of Paul, Timothy, John, and Jesus Himself, we discover why God's design for His church has always been uncompromising truth and authentic love working together.What should our church be known for? And what happens when we become more concerned with being right than loving people well?Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7, Acts 20 28-30, Ephesians 4-5

This sermon challenges believers to examine whether they are living with a complacent faith or a compelling faith. Using the metaphor of stagnant ponds versus flowing rivers, the message calls Christians to be conduits of the Holy Spirit rather than spiritually stagnant. The sermon emphasizes that compelling faith requires being compelled by the Spirit, even when it leads to uncertainty and hardship. Drawing from Acts 19-20 and Paul's ministry in Ephesus, the message illustrates how authentic Christianity disrupts darkness and idolatry in culture. The central call is for believers to embrace "disruptive discipleship" - a lifelong surrender to Jesus that interrupts ordinary living, dismantles comfort and compromise, and moves Christians from consumption to mission. The sermon concludes with the challenge that every believer must choose: remain complacent and complicit, or become compelling through Spirit-led obedience.Read John 7:37-39; Ezekiel 47:1-12Jesus promises that believers will have rivers of living water flowing from within them. Notice the contrast between stagnant ponds and rushing rivers. A pond collects but doesn't release—it becomes stagnant, breeding decay. A river constantly receives and gives, bringing life wherever it flows.The Holy Spirit desires to flow through you like a river, bringing refreshment to dry places. But this requires both intake and outflow. Are you receiving from God daily through prayer and Scripture? Are you releasing His love through service and witness? Stagnation happens when we consume without contributing, when we gather but never give. Ask yourself today: Am I a stagnant pond or a rushing river? The Spirit wants to move through you, but He needs your surrender. Where has spiritual stagnation crept into your life? What would it look like to allow God's Spirit to flow freely through you today?Discussion Questions:-Paul says he is 'compelled by the Spirit' without knowing what will happen to him, only that hardships await. What would it look like for you to follow the Holy Spirit's leading even when the outcome is uncertain or difficult?-The sermon contrasts a stagnant pond with a rushing river as metaphors for spiritual life. Which image better represents your current spiritual state, and what specific steps could move you toward becoming 'living water'?-The sermon lists several types of Christians including the consumer Christian, the distracted Christian, and the knowledge-heavy but action-light Christian. Which of these categories do you most identify with, and what would it take to move beyond it?-Mike mentions that many churches become stagnant by focusing only on what's wrong with the world rather than where God is moving. How can we maintain awareness of darkness while keeping our primary focus on where the Spirit is at work?

1 Corinthians 15:29-5829 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink,  for tomorrow we die.”33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” 36 How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39 Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”55 “Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?”56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

In Week 1 of Walking Worthy, we go back to the beginning—before Paul ever called believers to “walk worthy”—to see how the gospel first transformed the city of Ephesus. In a culture filled with idolatry, spiritual confusion, and competing loyalties, God brought real change through truth, the Holy Spirit, and radical grace. This message reminds us that the Christian life isn't about trying harder, but being transformed from the inside out. The same power that changed Ephesus is still at work today—ready to change us.

Paul told Timothy to command the women in the church at Ephesus that they must be learners, but not the authoritative teachers of the church since that is a role God has reserved for qualified men by Creation Ordinance.

2 Timothy 1:13–18 [13] Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. [14] That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. [15] This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. [16] The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; [17] but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. [18] The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.

What makes the Gospel real for you?Ephesians 1:1-10Context is Key!How is our culture like Ephesus?Acts 19:8-10Acts 19:13-20Where do you want Heaven to meet Earth?

The book of Acts tells the radical story of how the earliest followers of Jesus lived with a revolutionary dependance on the Holy Spirit. Rather than seeking to be everything and do everything in their own strength, they created a Spirit-filled community - one where the power and presence of the Holy Spirit was central to everything they did. 2000 years later, the invitation for today's followers of Jesus is to do the same. This week, Adrian looks at Paul ministering in Ephesus - exploring how God is a God who moves: who moves in us, who moves in our cities, and who moves across nations.

Paul began his third missionary journey by returning to Ephesus, after briefly stopping there at the end of his second journey. He stayed in Ephesus ministering for almost three years, his longest stay in any city during his journeys.

You can't take it with you — or can you? In this final message from 1 Timothy, Dr. John looks at what Paul has to say to the wealthy in the church at Ephesus. The answer isn't to feel guilty about what you have, but to learn humility, recognize where real security comes from, and become a generous giver. Send it on ahead — and discover what it means to take hold of the life that is truly life.Living the Truth: In this 3-week study of 1 Timothy 4–6, Dr. John Neufeld walks us through Paul's practical instructions to the church — the household of God. What does it look like to live as a genuine believer? What habits mark a life of faithful obedience? And why is it so essential that those who teach the gospel are themselves living it? This study brings those questions to life.

Alan Smith takes a hard look at Acts 19, Daniel 10 and 12, and the spiritual push back that comes when truth meets false worship. In this episode of The Smith and Rowland Show, Alan connects Scripture to the pressure he sees in the Middle East, including Iran, and lays out why prayer, humility, and trust in God's word still matter. He warns that deception often sounds confident, polished, and certain. For that reason, he points back to the need for a teachable heart, a steady faith in Jesus Christ and him crucified, and a real love for God's word. Alan also draws a clear line between truth and love. He says a believer can reject a false system and still love the people caught in it. That theme runs through his comments on Muslims, Christian obedience, marriage, forgiveness, and how believers should respond to enemies without giving way to pride or bitterness. Acts 19 brings the message into focus. When Paul preached in Ephesus, the gospel shook the idol trade and exposed false worship tied to money, power, and public life. Alan uses that scene to explain why push back often follows real ministry. If truth is resisted, that does not always mean the message failed. Sometimes it means it hit the right target. He also revisits George Whitfield, Benjamin Franklin, and the way God uses flawed people in history. Then he turns to Daniel's vision of Michael the protector, angelic resistance, and the burden of prayer that keeps going when answers seem delayed. If you care about Bible doctrine, spiritual warfare, Acts 19, Daniel 10, Daniel 12, and honest discussion about deception and faith, this conversation gives you plenty to think about. #Acts19 #Daniel10 #Daniel12 #BibleTeaching #SpiritualWarfare

At the beginning of the book of Revelation, Jesus wrote seven letters for churches not only in existence at that time, but for all time, including today. These letters have very important messages for every believer, including us. Let's find out more about what Christ wants us to know—here, on Foreshadows Report!Learn more about Steve and his books at https://SteveMillerResources.comProduced by Unmutable™

       Nobody plans to have their marriage fall apart. Nobody dreams of financial disaster or watching their kids walk away from the faith. And yet all around us, people who wanted good lives find themselves living something they never intended. How does that happen when nobody wanted it?       Because life has no rehearsal. There's no pre-production run, no second take, no chance to run a day and evaluate it before it counts. Every decision you make — about who you listen to, what you let build momentum in your life — is live. And the painful truth is that most of our greatest regrets could have been avoided if we'd only known sooner what we learned the hard way.       Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus isn't a moral code — it's a call to live wisely in a world specifically designed to misinform you. Be careful how you live, he says. Make the most of every opportunity. Understand what God's will actually is. That's not generic advice. It's the beginning of a completely different relationship with the choices that are shaping your life right now — before the momentum becomes unmanageable.       Support the mission of the Salty Pastor ministry! Visit our donations page at https://pushpay.com/g/thesaltypastor to help us continue sharing truth with a world in need. Visit thesaltypastor.com to sign up for our weekly email, designed to coach, inspire, and encourage you to a mature faith.Discussion QuestionsLooking back, what's a decision you made where better counsel could have changed the outcome — and what made you resistant to seeking it at the time?Paul says the world is specifically designed to misinform us. Where do you feel most susceptible to that kind of influence right now?What does "living wisely" actually look like in your daily decisions — not in theory, but in the specific choices you face this week?

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:1 Excluding gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Paul the Apostle was one of the foremost writers of the New Testament; accredited at least 13 of the books included. However, one detail many believers may gloss over is that, Paul was a Pharisee and astutely educated in the Tanakh, thus held a strong Jewish theology. Join Rabbi Schneider today in this classic series, as highlights importance of understanding the person of Paul and how it must influence our understanding of the New Testament. **** BECOME A MONTHLY PARTNER - https://djj.show/YTAPartner  **** DONATE - https://djj.show/YTADonate  **** TEACHING NOTES -  https://djj.show/32g 

1 Timothy 1:1-71 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

In Episode 2 of the series Mary in the Dock: Ordinary or Extraordinary?, host Greg Smith puts the Catholic doctrine of Mary as Mother of God (Theotokos) on trial. Many modern evangelicals recoil at the title, calling it blasphemous or idolatrous and unknowingly echoing the ancient Nestorian heresy that split Christ in two. Greg gives the strongest Protestant objections a full, fair hearing — the lack of an explicit Bible verse, the risk of deifying Mary, and the historical cautions from Calvin — then delivers a robust Catholic defense rooted in Luke 1:43 (“mother of my Lord”), the Council of Ephesus (431 AD), and the affirmations of classical Reformers like Luther (“she is rightly called… the Mother of God”), Zwingli, and the Anglican Articles. Far from Marian excess, the doctrine safeguards the full reality of the Incarnation and the infinite value of Christ's atonement. Listeners serve as the jury in this conversational yet intellectually sharp courtroom discussion that asks the key question: is Mary simply an ordinary woman God used for a moment, or the extraordinary God-bearer the Church has proclaimed for two thousand years? Perfect for curious non-Catholics, Protestant pastors investigating Catholicism, and cradle Catholics deepening their faith. SUPPORT THIS SHOW Considering Catholicism is 100% listener-supported. If this podcast has helped you on your journey, please become a patron today! For as little as $5/month you get: • Every regular episode ad-free and organized into topical playlists • Exclusive bonus content (extra Q&As, Deep-Dive courses, live streams, and more) • My deepest gratitude and a growing community of like-minded listeners ➡️ Join now: https://patreon.com/consideringcatholicism (or tap the Patreon link in your podcast app) One-time gift: Donate with PayPal! CONNECT WITH US • Website & contact form: https://consideringcatholicism.com • Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com • Leave a comment on Patreon (I read every one!) RATE & REVIEW If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating (and even better, a review) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — it really helps new listeners find us. SHARE THE SHOW Know someone who's curious about Catholicism? Send them a link or share an episode on social media. Thank you! Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat.

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Send us Fan MailThe Bible Project Daily Podcast is an in-depth, daily study of the entire Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Episode Notes:  Stepping Into Ephesus. Ephesians, Introduction and Overview.A messenger has arrived from far away. He carries a letter. Not just any letter, a letter from a man they have heard about but never met. A man whose reputation has travelled farther than he ever could. A man who has been beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and yet somehow is still shaping the world. The letter is opened.And the room falls silent. This is the moment the church in Ephesus first heard the words we now call Ephesians. A letter that would outlive empires, reshape theology, and call believers across centuries to live in the light of their calling. And today, we begin that journey together through that letter.Support the showThis podcast is not associated with the Bible Project YouTube channel or any other associated podcasts that use the name 'Bible Project'. It is entirely the work of Jeremy R McCandless...Follow and support me on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast).https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest...

Laodicea, an important city of the Roman Empire, had a serious issue with drinkable water. Hot Springs filled with impurities were a main source of water for the city. Archaeological excavations have revealed an attempt to bring water from an outside source in through stone pipes containing limestone deposits which would have contaminated the water for drinking. Just as lukewarm water is useless, the church in Laodicea is useless to Jesus. Dependency is a sign of maturity for a Christian. The danger of wealth is that it has the potential to create independent people. They may feel competent and successful but they are in actuality poor, and pitiful. Jesus strong words are a love gift to wake them up and reset their lives onto a new trajectory. They need only to repent, turn away from self-sufficiency and turn back to Jesus!------------------------By now we can see each church named is located in a real place with real temptations, hardships, and opposition. This is how it is for all Christians in all centuries – for we do have a very real enemy and this world is not our home. Additionally we have also seen how Jesus uses illustrations from the reader's own environment to communicate deep spiritual truths for greater understanding among its hearers. He did this all throughout the gospels as well!  In Summary:• **Ephesus – drifting church:** right doctrine but did not have love• **Smyrna – suffering church:** going through persecution—encouraged to stay faithful• **Pergamum – compromising church:** held to the truth—exhorted to not compromise• **Thyatira – tolerant church:** tolerance led to unfaithfulness• **Sardis – defeated church:** apathy and material wealth lead to defeat• **Philadelphia—suffering church:** going through persecution—Jesus reminds them of His love.• **Laodicea—lukewarm church:** apathy and material wealth lead to uselessnessThe pattern laid out in these letters is: *who Jesus is, who the church is, exhortations and promises.*Let us take to heart the condition of each church, examining our own walk and the culture of our own church against each possible state. Let us receive both Jesus' words of encouragement in suffering and His warnings in apathy. Above all else let us wake up to and rejoice in our “great need for a Saviour and a great Saviour for our need!” (Spurgeon)Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Revelation 3:14-22

Laodicea, an important city of the Roman Empire, had a serious issue with drinkable water. Hot Springs filled with impurities were a main source of water for the city. Archaeological excavations have revealed an attempt to bring water from an outside source in through stone pipes containing limestone deposits which would have contaminated the water for drinking. Just as lukewarm water is useless, the church in Laodicea is useless to Jesus. Dependency is a sign of maturity for a Christian. The danger of wealth is that it has the potential to create independent people. They may feel competent and successful but they are in actuality poor, and pitiful. Jesus strong words are a love gift to wake them up and reset their lives onto a new trajectory. They need only to repent, turn away from self-sufficiency and turn back to Jesus!------------------------By now we can see each church named is located in a real place with real temptations, hardships, and opposition. This is how it is for all Christians in all centuries – for we do have a very real enemy and this world is not our home. Additionally we have also seen how Jesus uses illustrations from the reader's own environment to communicate deep spiritual truths for greater understanding among its hearers. He did this all throughout the gospels as well!  In Summary:• **Ephesus – drifting church:** right doctrine but did not have love• **Smyrna – suffering church:** going through persecution—encouraged to stay faithful• **Pergamum – compromising church:** held to the truth—exhorted to not compromise• **Thyatira – tolerant church:** tolerance led to unfaithfulness• **Sardis – defeated church:** apathy and material wealth lead to defeat• **Philadelphia—suffering church:** going through persecution—Jesus reminds them of His love.• **Laodicea—lukewarm church:** apathy and material wealth lead to uselessnessThe pattern laid out in these letters is: *who Jesus is, who the church is, exhortations and promises.*Let us take to heart the condition of each church, examining our own walk and the culture of our own church against each possible state. Let us receive both Jesus' words of encouragement in suffering and His warnings in apathy. Above all else let us wake up to and rejoice in our “great need for a Saviour and a great Saviour for our need!” (Spurgeon)Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Revelation 3:14-22

God often opens doors of opportunity for us, but walking through them won't always be easy. Paul walked through a door God had opened for him in Ephesus even though the Corinthians were begging Paul to come back. In this message, Pastor Duane Brooks uses Paul's calling to the church in Ephesus to show how we should put the important over the urgent and trust God's perfect timing. Message based on 1 Corinthians 16:5-9. To discover more messages of hope, go to tallowood.org/sermons/.Follow us on X and YouTube @tallowoodbcFollow us on Instagram @tallowood.baptistFollow us on FaceBook @tallowoodbaptist

This Sunday, we continued Becoming A Praying Church where Pastor Rob preached on Ephesians 3:14-21. Paul prays for the church of Ephesus to be strengthened with the Holy Spirit and filled with love. Our prayer for New North Church is the same. Would you pray for our church and the global church to be filled with the fullness of God?   We are so glad you've joined New North Church for service today! If this is your first time with us, we are honored to have you and we want to get to know you more personally - please, fill out our digital connection card. http://bit.ly/nncconnectDo you have questions about life or need prayer? We would love to hear from you. Submit a request here: http://bit.ly/nncprayerNew North is financially sustained through your partnership. Thank you for your generosity as you consider giving online. http://bit.ly/nncgiveJoin us in person on Sundays at 8:30am, 10am and 12pm in San Francisco! Plan your visit: https://www.newnorth.church/plan-your...STAY CONNECTED:Website: https://www.newnorth.churchInstagram: http://bit.ly/nncinstagramFacebook: http://bit.ly/nncfacebookSpotify: http://bit.ly/nncpodcast 

There's More Going On Than You Can SeeMost of us live on the surface. We wake up, manage our circumstances, navigate our relationships, and try to keep our heads above water. But what if the most important things happening in your life aren't visible from the surface at all?That's the provocative claim at the center of Ephesians. Written by Paul near the end of his life, this letter isn't a self-help manual or a list of spiritual tips. It's more like someone grabbing you by the shoulders, pulling you to the edge of a boat, and telling you to put your head underwater. The ocean is bigger than you think. There's a world down there.Ephesians tells a cosmic story with domestic implications. Through Jesus, heaven has invaded earth — that's cosmic. And if that's really true, then every part of life, from our relationships to our daily rhythms, should be shaped by it — that's domestic. The letter peels back the curtain on what's really going on beneath the surface of our world.Chosen: The Story Started Before YouThe opening section of Ephesians contains the longest single sentence in the New Testament. In one long, breathless run-on, Paul celebrates something stunning: before the creation of the universe, God has chosen to save a remnant of humanity and bring them into his new family.This has stirred centuries of theological debate about predestination and free will. But Paul isn't primarily writing doctrine here. He's writing worship. He's not making a precise claim about how we get saved so much as celebrating what we're saved into.Think of the difference between a guest list and a party invitation. Both acknowledge there's a party and some people will be there. But the invitation focuses on what the guests are going to experience — and that's where Paul wants our attention. We've been chosen to be made holy and blameless, adopted into God's family, and given a new primary identity. Not based on our work, our success, our kids, or our bank accounts. Based on belonging to the King.Your salvation isn't fragile. It's not a coincidence or a byproduct of something else. It was planned from the beginning.Inheritance: The Story Ends in RenewalBut that's just the beginning. Paul traces a thread that runs all the way through scripture: the idea of inheritance.In the Old Testament, inheritance always meant land. God promised Adam and Eve Eden. He promised Abraham a homeland. He led Israel through the wilderness toward a Promised Land. And when they lost it to exile, the prophets promised restoration.By the time Jesus arrives, Israel is technically in their land but crushed under Roman occupation. And the question hangs in the air: what happened to the promise?Paul answers it. The inheritance was never just about land. It's about a world fully saturated with God's presence — a new creation where everything broken is made whole, everything lost is restored, everything under the rule of Jesus. That's what we're waiting for. That's what we're headed toward.And here's the practical piece: the Holy Spirit is the down payment on that future. A taste of what's coming. The presence of God now, as a preview of his presence then.Power: The Story We're Living In Right NowPaul ends with a prayer over the church in Ephesus, and it's worth noting what he doesn't pray for. He doesn't pray for spiritual victory over their enemies. He doesn't pray for cultural dominance. He prays for wisdom, hope, and power.Because we live in the middle chapters of this story. The outcome isn't in doubt — Jesus has already won — but there are real spiritual skirmishes happening all around us. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is somehow at work in and among ordinary people gathered together as the church. It's not a flashy power. It doesn't compete with spectacle. It's quiet. It forgives. It serves. It transforms.It helps people lay down control instead of grasping for it. It sustains daily, unimpressive prayer over years of ordinary life. It pushes back darkness through unnoticed acts of love.What This Has to Do With UsThree things worth carrying with you.First, God isn't reluctant to save. The story of your salvation began before you existed. When you bring your sin, your weakness, your failure to Jesus, he doesn't shake his head. He rushes toward you.Second, your salvation is part of a bigger story. You were saved into a community, and your salvation is the beginning, not the end. Every act of forgiveness, every reconciled relationship, every moment of service is a small working model of what the new creation will look like.Third, God is still redeeming all things. Your circumstances don't determine the value or meaning of your life. Every unanswered prayer, every quiet struggle, every overwhelming season is being held by Jesus.Most of us are too focused on the surface of the water to see what's underneath. But there's a bigger story going on. The question is whether we're willing to wake up to it.

Göbekli Tepe continues to reveal the striking nature of humanity's past. Bernie Taylor arrives to add to the living mystery of the site, specifically the Great Mother Goddess. We'll explore the deep prehistoric foundations of Ephesus, tracing its roots back to ancient matriarchal Anatolian civilizations and the maternal lineages of early humanity. He'll examine the cultural shift from these indigenous traditions and the legendary influence of Amazonian queens to the rise of patriarchal structures in the Greco-Roman era. Finally, Bernie uncovers the enduring symbolic legacy of the Mother Goddess, revealing a continuous spiritual thread that connects prehistoric birthing figures to the venerated Lady of Ephesus. More on Bernie: https://beforeorion.com/ Göbekli Tepe continues to reveal the striking nature of humanity's past. Bernie Taylor arrives to add to the living mystery of the site, specifically the Great Mother Goddess. We'll explore the deep prehistoric foundations of Ephesus, tracing its roots back to ancient matriarchal Anatolian civilizations and the maternal lineages of early humanity. He'll examine the cultural shift from these indigenous traditions and the legendary influence of Amazonian queens to the rise of patriarchal structures in the Greco-Roman era. Finally, Bernie uncovers the enduring symbolic legacy of the Mother Goddess, revealing a continuous spiritual thread that connects prehistoric birthing figures to the venerated Lady of Ephesus. More on Bernie: https://beforeorion.com/ Get The Occult Elvis: https://amzn.to/4jnTjE4 Virtual Alexandria Academy: https://thegodabovegod.com/virtual-alexandria-academy/ Gnostic Tarot Readings: https://thegodabovegod.com/gnostic-tarot-reading/ The Gnostic Tarot: https://www.makeplayingcards.com/sell/synkrasis Homepage: https://thegodabovegod.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aeonbyte AB Prime: https://thegodabovegod.com/members/subscription-levels/ Voice Over services: https://thegodabovegod.com/voice-talent/ Support with donation: https://buy.stripe.com/00g16Q8RK8D93mw288 Merch store: https://aeonbyte.creator-spring.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Emperor Domitian rose to power, he demanded worship—forcing citizens across the Roman Empire to burn incense and declare him god. But John, pastor of the church in Ephesus and faithful preacher of Gospel Truth, refused to compromise. For his unwavering devotion to Christ alone, John was exiled to the island of Patmos. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef highlights a powerful Truth: exile may remove you from people, but it cannot separate you from Jesus. Domitian intended Patmos as punishment, but the Lord used it as a platform—giving John the most sweeping vision of eternity ever recorded: the book of Revelation. What the enemy meant for silence, God used for proclamation. What seemed like stagnation became revelation. Dr. Youssef encourages you to see your own “Patmos” seasons differently. When life feels isolating, unfair, or restrictive, go to God and let His promises steady your heart. Trials test faith—but they also produce perseverance, maturity, and spiritual strength when you trust the Spirit more than your circumstances (James 1:2–4). Prayer: God, give me a vision of eternity with You so that I can bear up under pressure. Holy Spirit, help me to be more like Christ. Let me see my trials as opportunities to mature in faith and thus bring honor and glory to Your name. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “[W]e also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon Revelation for Today, The Relevant Revelation: LISTEN NOW| WATCH NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.