The Missio Peoria family takes some time to recap and reflect on Ephesians 1:1-14. Several individuals within the church family explain how God is transforming their lives to inhabit the true Story of who God is and what He has done in light of Paul's poetry of praise.

Chris and Wade discuss what preaching is and how they strive to do it... while driving safely through traffic.

In Christ Jesus, we have been chosen by the Father and redeemed by the Son. But we have also been sealed by the Holy Spirit. The promises God made to Israel, Abraham, even all the way back to Adam, are sealed and sure for us in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the down payment, our guarantee that God's promises are coming true. This means we can experience our inheritance in Christ here and now. This is for our good, and for God's glorious grace.

Paul continues through his poetry of praise to God for what He has done, seeing that the work the Father set in motion has been fulfilled by the Son, Jesus; a work that is good news upon good news, lavished upon the entire world. The work of Christ is not only salvation for you or I individually, but a cosmic work to unite all of creation in heaven and earth to God. In him, we see that nothing is beyond the reach of the Gospel, which is good news indeed!

Paul begins his doxology of praise to God the Father, thanking Him for blessing his children with every spiritual blessing in Jesus. In verses 3-6, we see Paul put God's blessings on display, celebrating the truth that the Father has chosen, predestined and adopted his sons and daughters into His family through Jesus Christ. This reality prompts our hearts to give thanks and praise to God.

Paul's letter to the Ephesians is a life-giving drama of God's victory in Jesus over the evil powers that have hijacked God's good creation and enslaved humanity. In and through Jesus, God has defeated the wicked enemy and has saved his people--the Church--to be active participants in his divine Story of hope, joy and salvation. In the first few verses, Paul establishes the amazing truth that the people of God belong in Christ, united with Him and experiencing the spiritual blessings of God both now and in the future.

What will we be doing in Ephesians?

We are desiring to be a maturing congregation of Christ followers empowered by the Spirit for the glory of God.

One of our 3 prayerful expectations for 2017 is that the Spirit would lead us to be healthier missional communities for God's glory, our growth and the good of the city.

We are praying this year for the Spirit to help Missio Dei Peoria see an increase in joy through a hunger for the Word, prayer, and grateful hearts of worship.