Today, we go back to the first Easter morning where the first witnesses of the resurrection find something obvious missing at the tomb. But, we find more than the body of Jesus missing. We find some things missing in the hearts of those who followed Jesus. Let’s open God’s word and consider what might be missing in our own hearts as well. He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Good Friday Service | 2023 by Christ Community Church of Magnolia

How should we measure church health? What are the markers? The first item on Paul’s applicational “to do list” for the church in Ephesus is health. Let’s take a look at what God’s word says and apply this to our church and our lives today!

How do you approach God in prayer? What kinds of things do you pray for fellow believers? What do we need most from God on our spiritual journey? Can He provide it? If so, what’s our response? A lot of key questions answered about the outworking of the Christian life in today’s text!

The mystery of the gospel is revealed- the Gentiles grafted into the body of Christ. What now does this mean for us? What are the implications of this truth and how does it change the way we live? Paul uses his own life as an example for us to witness and learn from!

Perhaps you enjoy restoration projects- seeing something old, mangled, or broken down transformed back to its original or updated condition. The truth is, we are God’s reclamation projects! Ephesians 2 is a picture of what God does to restore his children. Let’s open God’s word and see how God is restoring us to Himself and others!

Sometimes we need to be reminded where we came from to appreciate the magnitude of what God has done in our lives. Our passage today plummets to the depths of our black hearts and rises to the summit of God’s great work on our behalf. Let’s open God’s word and be humbled and deeply encouraged today!

When you see evidences of grace in Christ-followers, do you encourage them? When you see people with spiritual blind spots, do you believe & pray for God to change them? Do you trust God is powerful enough to work change in you/others? In a prayer to the Ephesian church, Paul shows us how the power of God is at work then and now!

When you consider the blessings of God and the ways God has loved you, what comes to mind? Today, the apostle Paul recounts the spiritual blessings that flow down to us from the Father, through the Son, and by the Spirit. Let’s take a look at what’s on his list and how we ought to respond. It might just surprise you!

Have you ever thought, “Lord, the challenge is too much, I can’t do this.” How do we face challenges that seem greater than our resources? In Paul’s opening words of Ephesians we see the origin, design, reach, and fuel that powers the Christian calling through all the ups and downs of life. So much gospel encouragement from such few

words! Let’s take a look!