"Therefore be imitators of God,

as beloved children."

~ Ephesians 5:1

Imitation sometimes gets a bad rap.

But there's an old expression that says imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

That's the kind of imitation Paul has in mind writing to the church in Ephesus. And it's the kind of imitation we are called to exemplify.

Jesus put it this way,

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35).

We are invited to imitate the love of Jesus.

But we have more-

We have the Holy Spirit living in us,

transforming our minds,

renewing our emotions,

guiding our steps,

to help us live like Jesus.

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self... and to put on the new self, created to be like God

in true righteousness and holiness."

~ Ephesians 4:22,24

Last Sunday the message was "Grow Up!"

This Sunday we're inviting you to "Dress Up!"

You can literally get dressed up in a gown or tuxedo.

That would be fun.

But we're talking about taking off the old self

and putting on the new self,

"created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Many of us struggle with our past, littered with regrets, shame, pain and heartache.

God doesn't just erase the past,

but God does offer us a path forward in righteousness and holiness.

Grow Up

"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming."

Ephesians 4:14

Paul mixes his metaphors here.

But his point becomes crystal clear:

He wants his fellow Christians to grow up.

To weather the storms of life.

To recognize charlatans and their schemes.

In short, he wants mature Christians living in union with Christ

and unity with one another.

If I may be so bold...

We're not there yet.

Young Christians have wandered from the faith like children lost at the mall.

The perfect storm of pandemic, economic crisis and social unrest have ripped believers from the moors of faith.

Cable news charlatans and social media hucksters have schemed division in pursuit of dollars.

And it has created unprecedented division in Christ's church.

But there is a solution:

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

Ephesians 4:15

This Sunday we study Pauls prescription for growing up into Christian maturity.

Keep the Unity of the Spirit

Ephesians 4:1-6

LIVING OUR CALLING FOCUSED ON UNITY: LOVE GOD AND LOVE PEOPLE

LIVING OUR CALLING ON SHARING THE GOOD NEWS: DO SOMETHING

Immeasurably, Inconceivably More!

Ephesians: Union and Unity

Ephesians 3:14-21

Chances are you pray.

(Most people do.)

Chances are you don't know how to pray.

(Most people say they don't know what they're doing.)

Chances are the prayer you pray are too small.

This Sunday we're going to learn how to pray.

God is going to invite us to pray immeasurably, inconceivably more that we are asking or imagining!

"Identity. Belonging. Purpose."

Series: "Ephesians: Union and Unity"

We are all on a quest to discover who we are (identity),

where we fit (belonging),

and our unique contribution (purpose).

Ephesians has some answers and insights to help!

Ephesians 3:1-13

"Brought Near"

Ephesians 2:11-22

"You have been brought near..."

"You are no longer strangers..."

"You are joined together..."

"You are the temple of the Holy Spirit..."

In short, you are a part of the body of Christ- the church!

"Grace Alone"

Ephesians: Union and Unity

Week 4: Grace Alone

Ephesians 2:1-10

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened

in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,

the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

~ Ephesians 1:18-19

This Sunday we continue our series

"Ephesians: Union and Unity"

Why do you often feel powerless to change your life?

Or more importantly,

How can you find power to change?

God know you need help,

and God wants to help you change!

Join us this Sunday not just to learn more about God's power,

but to experience God's power at work through your life.

Every Spiritual Blessing

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."

~ Ephesians 1:3

This Sunday, September 12,

we'll dive into Ephesians 1:3-14

Right now you have available every spiritual blessing.

That's right-

Every spiritual blessing is already yours through Jesus.

So just what is, or what are, the spiritual blessings of Jesus?

Join us Sunday and find out!