This week, we begin our Advent series as we celebrate the first arrival of Jesus and anticipate His coming second arrival. This week, we look at how God brings beauty from ashes. He displays judgement on the injustice to humble the wicked. It is out of this destruction that Isaiah prophecizes the coming of Jesus, who would shoot up like a seedling from a stump. Unlike other rulers known for war, intimidation, and fear, Jesus establishes peace and love. He brings ultimate justice and restoration and completes God's promise of hope.rlcsd.org

This week, we wrap up our series titled, "In Christ", a study through the book of Ephesians. As Paul closes out his letter to the church of Ephesus, he reminds them of the reality that they are in the middle of a spiritual war. While this is important for us to be reminded of, we should also be mindful of who the enemy is not. We are first and foremost instructed to stand, as we are to hold the ground that Jesus already won. To do this, we share the same weapons Jesus has at his disposal, the Word of God and prayer to connect to God for His deliverance and power. Furthermore, we are to put on the armor of God, which is ultimately a call to put on Christ Himself and live in the new identity Paul describes to us. rlcsd.org

This week, we continue our series titled, "In Christ", a study through the book of Ephesians. Paul addresses addresses authority and power dynamics as shown through the relationship between parents with children and slaves and masters. Both the ones under authority and in authority are ultimately accountable to Jesus Christ, who holds absolute power without corruption. Children are to obey and honor their parents, while parents are called to bridle their authority and raise their children in the training and instruction of the Lord. Similarly, employees are to serve their human masters as they would Christ, while masters must treat those under them justly, remembering that God shows no favoritismrlcsd.org

This week, we continue our series titled, "In Christ", a study through the book of Ephesians. Paul describes to the church in Ephesus timeless truths about marriage that are relevant to our modern culture. Marriages then and now should be on a simple foundation, a covenant promising future love. This is prioritized through a reordering of two lives around that new covenant. Although there are many reasons that people choose to get married today, the Bible is clear that the purpose is for oneness and holiness, to display a more complete image of God. rlcsd.org

This week, we continue our series titled, "In Christ", a study through the book of Ephesians. As Paul describes to the church of Ephesus, their walk with Jesus first begins with recognizing the darkness they are in, shown by the sinful influences the culture surrounds them with. Paul reminds them, that they too were the darkness, alone and without the hope of Christ. As believers in Christ, we have a new identity marked by being light in the Lord. We are called to shine brightly and expose the darkness, living a life that bears the fruits of the spirit.

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This week, we continue our series titled, "In Christ", a study through the book of Ephesians. As Paul describes to the church of Ephesus, there is a power for renewal available to them and us. This work happens from the inside out as we are transformed by the power of His Spirit. As Christians, we are not motivated for change because of negative forces like shame or guilt. Rather, we are motivated for change because of God's immense love for us and as we are led to respond in kind and show His love to others as well. We "put off" the ways of the world inherent to us and "put on" the new actions and attitudes that match our new identity in Christ.

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This week, we continue our series titled, "In Christ", a study through the book of Ephesians. Paul describes to the church in Ephesus what it looks like to be walking with Christ. There is no checklist of things to do, but rather a new heart signified by the character traits of humility, gentleness, love, and peace. With these renewed hearts, we all unify into one new body on a mission with one shared calling. We can all exercise our unique gifts and places that God has put us in order to serve others and proclaim the gospel.

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This week, we continue our series titled, "In Christ", a study through the book of Ephesians. While we might call ourselves Christians, those in the early church preferred to identify themselves as being "In Christ'. Their hope was that what is true of Jesus would become true of themselves. The foundation of the spiritual walk begins with the security of the gift we receive and the opportunity to belong. From there, we walk with Christ and yield to His spirit, allowing it to work in our lives. This work allows us to develop a Christ-like love and truly experience the depth of His love for us.

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This week, we continue our series titled, "In Christ", a study through the book of Ephesians. As Paul writes to the church of Ephesus, he is a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of the gentiles. It is through Christ and His grace the gentiles are brought in to the family of God as co-heirs and full members of the body. We all share as partners in the promise of the Holy Spirit for us. In Christ, we all share in bold and confident access to Him and with these revelations, are commissioned to share the good news.

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This week, we continue our series titled, "In Christ", a study through the book of Ephesians. As Paul writes to the church of Ephesus, he reminds them who they were before Jesus, an alienated community of Jews and gentiles. In Christ, a divided people becomes one. He proclaims peace for all, as we are no longer strangers but fellow citizens of His Kingdom. Beyond merely fellow citizens, there is love and belonging as we are also united in His family.

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