A common rallying cry in our day is, love is love- But is this reflective of how the bible defines love- Here we see that any and every form of sexual immorality and impurity is the opposite of the love we're called to in the gospel. As the body of Christ, we are called to live radically different lives in the area of sexual purity --even if that puts us on a collision course with the world's definition of 'love'. For our distinct love in the area of sexual ethics is one way we are a witness to God's new creation work, we image God being remade in true righteousness and holiness, we love as Christ loved, and we live out our new identity in Christ.

In Christ, the church is called to be different in how we are to stop using our speech for selfish reasons, to get what we want, and start using our speech in order to give, in service to one another. This is the call to love and sacrifice for the good of our neighbor, which keeps in step with the Spirit and imitates God's love toward us in Christ.

The American church is often obsessed with the so-called 'practical' and behavioral aspects of Christianity. But the Apostle Paul doesn't get 'practical' until well into the 4th chapter of Ephesians. Why- Because Christian obedience always flows out of who we are, our identity in Christ, our union with Christ, and the communal aspect of the body of Christ. Here, Paul narrows in on three specific commands and how believer's are called to imitate God and live out their new creation identity in Christ.

What does it mean to, 'find our identity in Christ'- It means to put off the old self - our old identity as fallen sinners, and to put on our new self - created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

What is the model of ministry that Jesus Christ has given His church- How does Christ ensure our unity, protection, maturity, and growth- Here we find that the risen Christ has given gifts to His church --gifts that center on the ministry of the word as the central aspect of His rule and reign within the body of Christ.

Mark opens his gospel with three themes that serve as the general thesis of the book- The Gospel is the good news of what God has done for us in Christ, Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the living God, and with His arrival a new Exodus is upon us as God has visited His people once again.

The unity and the diversity of the church can only be rightly understood by looking at Jesus Christ and how He gives gifts to His church from the spoils of His conquering work and reign.

How should we understand Christ's rule and kingdom in relation to the current racial and political turmoil in our country- From selected scripture in Ephesians, here we consider our King, His kingdom, and the nature of His rule.

The answer to the divisions and turmoil in life is not 'let's just all get along', and neither is it 'preach the gospel and leave it at that'. Rather, Paul here instructs the church to pursue and preserve the unity that the Spirit alone creates in the church.