Today we begin a brief but important journey. We seek to define the real essence of Salem. Not by our traditions or preferences, but to know God’s sovereign purposes for our fellowship. In the midst of all our many amazing attributes (our people) and ministries, who are we and why are we here? The answers are very exciting

We have seen Jesus portrayed so often in a certain way, that we may have missed the real Jesus, the Jesus that emerges at Easter. Resurrection is about Power, Hope, and Victory. This is the Jesus you ought to know!

Today we begin a two-week look at the significance of Holy Week. Why are these seven days so pivotal in human history? Why are 1.5 billion people on the planet celebrating? It turns out that none of the events of this week surprised God. The cross and the empty crypt were all a part of His sovereign plan to rescue you, long before Jesus was in the cradle. If God went to these lengths to rescue you, you can put the question of His care for you to rest forever! And there is nothing that could ever separate you from His love for you in Jesus Christ.

Today we finish our long journey through the Gospel movement in Ephesus and the subsequent letter Paul wrote to the church he once pastored there. As Paul finishes his amazing letter, he gives a beautiful and detailed description of exactly how we can go about becoming a fierce and dominating spiritual warrior, a warrior who cannot be bested by anything the enemy throws at us.

War is horrible. It destroys. Of course, it is also true that war can rescue and redeem. Spiritual warfare is particularly painful, because most of the battles are not fought on a field somewhere far away. If you dare to live for Jesus, it will be a war fought on a daily basis. On the other hand, it is a battle, the outcome of which is already determined in Christ!

Paul has been filling us with practical wisdom on how to be "one body in Christ" as we live out faith in all the unique relationships we have, and today is no different. Today we talk about the marketplace, and how we treat those around us where we work, play, live and go to school. Paul has a transformational idea. Do everything you do as if you were doing it directly for the Lord! If you do this, you can't go wrong.

We have been talking about being one in Christ. Nowhere is that more precious and rewarding than in the family unit … and nowhere is it more desperately needed. After examining the mystery of marriage last week, this week Paul gives a primer on making family work. Our families have the opportunity to paint a picture for the world of God's faithful fatherly love.

Thinking about Jesus's life and how he fulfilled commands can help us gain clarity on how to do likewise. Searching for intersections between what God expects of us and Jesus's life gets us thinking more about his amazing life (as opposed to merely about principles to obey), and inclines us to give glory to the God-man for his perfect obedience on our behalf.

In our Ephesians study, Paul has been urging us to run to the light and stop acting like children of the darkness. Last week, it was a deeply personal plea about our attitudes and behavior. This week, it is a very public plea about our witness and impact on our generation. Paul says it is time for us to wake up and shine!