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Carry on…in unity The Sharing of Gifts Pray that the body of Christ would be built up and unified Read Ephesians 4:7-16 Paul continues with the theme of unity (see 4:3-6) by discussing the different gifts given to believers. While there is one body, Spirit, hope and Lord, each believer receives a different measure of grace. In the context, “grace” refers to spiritual gifts or ministry roles (see 3:2, 7-8). In 4:8, Paul quotes Psalm 68:18 – a psalm celebrating God’s victory over His enemies (see Psalm 68:1-3, 11-14, 19-23) and the resulting victory procession (see Psalm 68:17-18, 24-27). He employs this psalm to illustrate Christ’s victory over sin and death (see also 1 Cor 15:54-57). God gives each of us spiritual gifts, but He doesn’t give us these gifts for our own personal pleasure. His gifts are meant to be shared with others. Spiritual gifts are the means by which we serve others and build up the body of Christ. Diving Deeper Paul...

Carry on…in unity From Principles to Practices Read Ephesians 4:1-6 Pray that God would help you live in a manner worthy of your calling. In chapter 4 Paul’s letter shifts from principles to practices. Paul has discussed the truth of our unity in Christ – the Jews and Gentiles have become one body – and now he discusses the practical ways believers can walk in this spiritual unity. He then reminds the church of the specific gifts they’ve been given to nurture and protect the unity they share in Christ. The word apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia , which means “speech of defense.”  In the context of faith, apologetics is less about arguing and more about articulating. To engage in apologetics is to be inquisitive, not argumentative. Apologists pursue a deeper knowledge of God by asking questions and studying Scripture. They’re modern-day Bereans (see Acts 17:11), and they’re being obedient to Peter’s command, “But in your hearts rever...

Carry on…in Prayer A Prayer for the Love of Christ Pray that Christ’s Love Would Dwell in Your Heart Prayer grows on us as we grow in prayer. Paul prays for believers to grow into the fullness of spiritual maturity. He prays for an inner strength, a deeper faith, an abundant love, and the fullness of God in each believer’s life. After Paul prays for an inner strength and a deeper faith, he then prays for an abundant love, the king that is rooted deep within our hearts. Such love is the hallmark of every believer. And all these things – an inner strength, a deeper faith, and an abundant love – will lead to a full maturity in Christ. God’s mercy and grace are all the more magnified in light of His unimaginable power. Read Ephesians and Reflect on Chapter 3:14-21 Paul picks up the thought that he began in 3:1, in this section. He prays that the Ephesian believers would be strengthened in their inner person. He prays that Christ will dw...

Carry on…in trust Humility and Boldness No one can stand against the evidence of a changed life. A person’s living testimony of God’s deliverance and transformation cannot be dismissed. This is why our “But God” stories are so important. It’s His light shining within us that draws others to him. Pray that God would give you boldness to proclaim His Word. Read Ephesians 3:1-13 After describing his role as a steward of God’s grace, Paul emphasizes how unworthy he is of that calling claim to be the “least of all the saints” (3:8). Elsewhere he calls himself “the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called and apostle” (1 Cor 15:9) and the foremost sinner (1 Tim 1:15). Why would Paul emphasize his unworthiness? What does God’s work through someone like Paul communicate about Christ’s redeeming power (compare 1 Cor 15:10)? Have you ever felt like God could use you to accomplish His purposes? Some of the most unlikely characters in the Bible were used i...

Carry on…as one A New Temple Any outsider can become an insider by grace through faith. Before Christ died on the cross the Jews were God’s chosen people. They were the insiders. They knew things the Gentiles didn’t. They knew the right clothes to wear, the right foods to eat. They knew the rules for righteous living. But the greatest sign – the one thing that demonstrated the were insiders – was circumcision. It was the Jewish brand. To be called “uncircumcised” was a slur aimed at the Gentiles. And the only way an outsider, a Gentile, could become an insider was to become circumcised. The old Jewish brand of circumcision was abolished at the cross. When Jesus died, total access to God the Father was granted through Christ’s blood. The great division between Jews and Gentiles no longer exists. Anyone who believes in Christ may now enter into God’s holy presence. Any outsider can become an insider by grace through faith. When Jesus died, every wall lost...

Carry on…with Purpose In and Through God first works in us so He can then work through us. God takes our history and makes it His Story. In Ephesians 2:10 Paul says we are God’s creation – or His workmanship, handiwork, or masterpiece, depending on which English Bible translation you read. In the original Greek we are His poiema – which means “work of art.” This is also where we get our English word for poem. We are His masterful poem. Each and every one of us. Our redemption becomes a display of God’s great kindness and love. As believers in Christ we become a living, walking art gallery of God’s abundant grace toward us. But we don’t become God’s “work of art” merely for the sake of looking good. God first works in us so He can then work through us. Read Ephesians 2:4-10 If this overarching passage is a call to carry on with purpose, then why did talk about our before-and-after “But God” stories? Two reasons. One, our “But God” stories are ...

Carry on…with Purpose Before and After At some point in our lives we ask: Why am I here? What is my purpose? Paul makes clear the fact that God has called each of us to a divine purpose – divine because it’s from Him. Our purpose on this earth is to bring glory to the One who has made us and save us. But the way we bring Him glory will be unique to each of us. God uses our specific backgrounds, where we’re from and the family we’re raised in. He takes our experiences and our circumstances, and He customizes a distinct purpose for each of us. Read Ephesians 2:1-3 Paul says we previously lived according to our fleshly desires. “But God.” Each one of us has a “But God” story and each story is different. Let's look at three different "But God" stories in Scripture: Paul's, Peter's and John's. Click for video. To experience genuine change, there must be takeover before there’s makeover. Invite God to takeover every area of your life ...