Redeemer Church, Mason Ohio

In Ephesians 3:1-13 Paul explains the mystery revealed in the gospel, the purpose of the church, and an encouragement to not be discouraged amidst suffering. We find our true purpose only when we know, see, and serve God’s purposes made known through Jesus.

**Due to technical issues, the first two minutes are missing**

I encourage you to continue joining others in prayer at the same time with the same words but in different places (currently 1:18 p.m. and focusing on Ephesians 1:18). It has been a rich blessing for me to incorporate that in the rhythms of life. I am asking daily that our spiritual eyes will be enlightened to the hope we have, the inheritance of the saints, and (v. 19!) the incomparably great power for us who believe. That power rose Christ from the dead, and in so doing it broke down the previously unconquerable divides between man and God, and between each other. Christ’s blood breaks down walls and secures deep, lasting peace. Stunning!

What is the biggest problem we humans face? Depending on whom you ask, you will get many different answers. Racism, poverty, lack of education, divisive politics, religious extremism, or gender inequality will all get mentioned as the core human dilemma, along with other suggestions. “You were dead” (Eph 2:1). Apostle Paul shocks his readers - there is no question as to what he thinks our biggest problem is! Dead people can do nothing to save themselves. We must look beyond ourselves for the solution. Praise God that, because of his extravagant mercy, he brought us back from the dead and he made us his workmanship, for his glory.

As mentioned last week, Ephesians 1:3-14 is one long sentence (202 words!) in Greek. After his initial greeting, Paul launches into an overwhelmingly majestic exploration of the blessings believers have received in Christ. The realities are so vast and expansive it would be easy to get lost in them were they not also so very personal. Together we will seek to unpack “Every Spiritual Blessing” secured by our Savior and applied to us who believe in this remarkable text.

We begin a new series on Ephesians this week, “How Deep God’s Love." What a book! Let's pray the learnings become formative – and hopefully even transformational – as we unpack the mystery-made-known of God’s love for the nations in the person of Christ, and of our calling and privilege to live as children of light. This Sunday we focus on the first two verses (“A Letter to Saints and Sinners Everywhere”) and get a glimpse of the sweeping themes Paul will cover in-depth. Reflections on prayer will figure heavily into our study, so I invite you to begin praying for the Spirit to be at work in our midst.

When we look out into the world and into our own circumstance, there are so many things we don't understand. We often may think or say aloud, "what is God doing?!" The prophet Habakkuk wrote during a time of national deterioration among the people of Israel, when their own society was plagued by injustice and oppression, while they themselves were being oppressed by the nation of Babylon. Speaking for the faithful, Habakkuk voices confusion as to why God is allowing these things to happen. This small book is a testimony to the fact that the Bible was written for real people in the real world, who face so many unanswered questions. But Habakkuk points to the hope we have in the sovereign God of the universe, who is ordering all things according to his good plan and purposes - the salvation of his people.

When we look out into the world and into our own circumstance, there are so many things we don't understand. We often may think or say aloud, "what is God doing?!" The prophet Habakkuk wrote during a time of national deterioration among the people of Israel, when their own society was plagued by injustice and oppression, while they themselves were being oppressed by the nation of Babylon. Speaking for the faithful, Habakkuk voices confusion as to why God is allowing these things to happen. This small book is a testimony to the fact that the Bible was written for real people in the real world, who face so many unanswered questions. But Habakkuk points to the hope we have in the sovereign God of the universe, who is ordering all things according to his good plan and purposes - the salvation of his people.

When we look out into the world and into our own circumstance, there are so many things we don't understand. We often may think or say aloud, "what is God doing?!" The prophet Habakkuk wrote during a time of national deterioration among the people of Israel, when their own society was plagued by injustice and oppression, while they themselves were being oppressed by the nation of Babylon. Speaking for the faithful, Habakkuk voices confusion as to why God is allowing these things to happen. This small book is a testimony to the fact that the Bible was written for real people in the real world, who face so many unanswered questions. But Habakkuk points to the hope we have in the sovereign God of the universe, who is ordering all things according to his good plan and purposes - the salvation of his people.

When we look out into the world and into our own circumstance, there are so many things we don't understand. We often may think or say aloud, "what is God doing?!" The prophet Habakkuk wrote during a time of national deterioration among the people of Israel, when their own society was plagued by injustice and oppression, while they themselves were being oppressed by the nation of Babylon. Speaking for the faithful, Habakkuk voices confusion as to why God is allowing these things to happen. This small book is a testimony to the fact that the Bible was written for real people in the real world, who face so many unanswered questions. But Habakkuk points to the hope we have in the sovereign God of the universe, who is ordering all things according to his good plan and purposes - the salvation of his people.

When we look out into the world and into our own circumstance, there are so many things we don't understand. We often may think or say aloud, "what is God doing?!" The prophet Habakkuk wrote during a time of national deterioration among the people of Israel, when their own society was plagued by injustice and oppression, while they themselves were being oppressed by the nation of Babylon. Speaking for the faithful, Habakkuk voices confusion as to why God is allowing these things to happen. This small book is a testimony to the fact that the Bible was written for real people in the real world, who face so many unanswered questions. But Habakkuk points to the hope we have in the sovereign God of the universe, who is ordering all things according to his good plan and purposes - the salvation of his people.