Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that we are in the middle of a battle between God and Satan. God has won the victory, but we are still fighting. The enemy hasn't conceded victory. In order to win this battle we need to know what we are fighting for, who we are fighting, how to fight them.

Everyone can agree with Paul in Ephesians 4 that humility and gentleness and speaking the truth in love is good. But what about Ephesians 5:22, “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.” How is this good and right and beautiful? Listen as Dave applies this controversial text to male and female relationships today.

Walking with Christ in our sexuality is neither suppression nor indulgence of our desire, but instead the reordering of it to God’s perfect end. Will we trust His pattern and submit to his path to flourishing?

Do you want what Jesus wants for you? Do you want unity with God and with others, and to live a life marked by maturity and love? What will it take? Paul tells the Ephesians that it will take an all-of-life exchange.

Paul transitions from unity back to diversity. He instructs the church on the various gifts we have been given so that we may grow up into the fullness of Christ.

When Paul transitions Ephesians from mostly theology to mostly instruction, what does he begin with? Listen as Dave unpacks why unity is most important in Paul's mind for the church of Christ.

Paul begins to pray but gets hung up on a word, mystery. The mystery of the radical inclusion of the gospel, his own role in proclaiming it, and the role of the church as well.

We were supposed to move on to Ephesians 3 today, but the Holy Spirit had other plans. Dave learned this morning that CJ was too sick to preach. Rather than throw together something quickly, the pastors felt the Spirit asking us to review last week's text. What about Christian unity is hard for Citizens? Where are we tempted to exclude? What old ways of living is God asking us to discard? Warning: This sermon includes lots of opportunity for reflection and discussion which cannot be heard on the podcast. Use the blank spaces to consider your own answers to Dave's question.

It takes Paul a full chapter and a half before he issues his first command to the Ephesians church: "Therefore, remember." He doesn't ask them to do something good or stop something bad, but to just remember. Listen as Dave walks through six gospel truths Paul believes are essential for the flourishing of the church.

Paul tells us that before Christ, we were like zombies, walking dead, but are now alive in Christ. That is a bold statement. If you are not a believer in Jesus, that statement may be pretty off putting. But if you are a believer, it may also be difficult if you don't feel alive.