Saying "Yes" to Jesus' call to "Go therefore and make disciples..."opens up a whole new world for the follower of Christ. Unexpected blessings and joy come with disciple making. This Sunday, we will discuss what most Christians in America are missing...the joy that comes with making disciples.

Do you remember this Sunday School song "This Little Light Of Mine?" Are you letting your light shine? Paul teaches that we are the children of light and we are to live that way. The world around us needs the light, so we must "leave the light on" if we are going to make a difference. I invite you to read Ephesians 5:1-14, in preparation for Sunday's message. As you read it, ask yourself these two questions: Am I imitating God? Is my light shining?

PAY ATTENTION!! :) The last section of Ephesians is full of instructions from Paul about how to live our lives, following Christ. There is a difference between how we used to live, how the world lives, and how a Christian lives. We are to give up our old ways and the things that hold us back, and instead live like Christ.

In Chapter 4 Paul moves from discussing all that God has already done, and moves on to instructing the Ephesians on the appropriate response to God's work. He addresses the church as a whole, urging them to live worthy of their call by remaining one unified body of believers. We too need to live worthy of our call and in order to do that, Paul says each supporting ligament needs to do their part.

It is not possible to live the Christ life in our own strength. Paul had a great understanding of this. In his letter to the Ephesian believers, he points them to the One who enables us to live it. And he tells them he is praying for them. His prayer is for power in their lives to bring glory to God. That power is found as the Holy Spirit has control. As the Spirit enables us, Christ then dwells in, comes to be at home in, our hearts. You and I need the Spirit's power each and every day.

Generally speaking, we are curious people. We like to get the scoop and be the first to know. Paul had been given information which was life-changing, especially for the Gentiles. It would have been life-altering to the Jews, too. Could Jews and Gentiles actually come together in unity? Could the Gentiles have the same privileges as the Jews? What would a unified church look like? All of this is part of the Mystery Revealed.

There has been much news and debate over illegal aliens in the United States the last few years. And there are varied opinions on the subject. But did you know the Bible speaks of aliens? It reveals that each of us, by birth are aliens. Not aliens of a particular country, but aliens when it comes to citizenship in God's Kingdom. As such, we have no access to God. But God has done something to change our status from "alien" to "citizen." No longer do we need to be an alien.

Have you ever stopped to reflect on the past? It may bring a wide range of feelings and emotions. You may be proud or embarrassed by the past. It's not wise to live in the past. However, from time to time, it may be good for us to remember where we came from. (I don't mean our family heritage.). Paul is calling the Ephesian believers to remember their past. He calls them "dead." That's how they were. But something had changed. They were now alive in Christ. Are you dead or alive? Join us as we explore this portion of Scripture.

Outreach Sunday

Present yourself before God and every person is the same. Sinners, yes, but more so blessed. We will look together at God's original call to Abram and find that Christ followers stand in an unbroken line of God's blessing. We have yet to fully embrace the blessing we have become to others.

The Apostle Paul had great affection for these believers in Ephesus, some of which he knew, and others, not so much. In this section of his letter, Paul tells them he regularly remembers them in prayer, and then he shares with them three specific requests he prays for them. Each of his requests are intended to be encouragement for these believers living in pagan culture. You will see that Paul's prayer is also a prayer that is beneficial for us to pray, as we are also living in a pagan culture.