Gracehouse

Walking the Jesus way is, sometimes, counter-intuitive. In this passage there is a conversation and a story that point us to the possibility that we might be right in our understanding of Jesus in many ways and yet, not in others. And, how Jesus will seek to challenge that mis-alignment in us.

Paul describes the world as being in a state of death in which we once lived. But God in his mercy because of his great love changed all that. Now we are being made more and more into his image as we become his workmanship. Created to do good works.

As we continue our reading through the book of Ephesians, we find Paul praying that the eyes of the hearts of the Ephesians would be opened more and more. There is so much richness in the salvation that Christ has won for us. We will spend the rest of our lives growing in our understanding of just how blessed he have been in Christ.

The resurrection is not just part of the story... it's an essential part of the Gospel. Not only is it an essential part of the Gospel it's an essential part of our Christian experience which leads to the mission of Jesus in the world.

Have you ever felt like no one truly sees or understands you? In this sermon, we explore how being misunderstood affects us—and how Jesus, who was deeply misunderstood Himself, meets us with compassion, truth, and perfect understanding, while also providing us with the tools to handle being misunderstood.

This morning we talk about what it is to navigate difficulty, disappointment, sorrow and suffering as followers of Jesus, without losing anchors of joy and hope.

One of the more important moments at the start of Jesus’ ministry was the moment when Jesus announced that the new day that so many were hoping for had now actually come. Jesus became the best advance notice of this new day in the manner of His life, and His invitation to us is that we too, as His disciples, might also become the best advance notice of this Kingdom to our own city.

As we tackle Ephesians 1:11-12 we wrestle with two different translations. Do we receive and inheritance in Christ? Or through Christ have we become Gods possession? Whichever it is both are good news for us.

Discipleship isn’t just knowing about Jesus—it’s about truly knowing Him. Following Christ means walking closely with Him, and being transformed by His presence and into His likeness. Although we might be tempted to think this is an entirely vertical ordeal, Paul's Damascus Road experience is clear that the means by which we Know Christ is through the people of Christ.

As we continue to unpack the new reality we have in Christ we talk about what it means for us to be "redeemed" and its result that we are forgiven. We also ask the question... How am I on mission with Jesus as he brings all things together in him?