The last several verses in our Ephesians Series have been Paul's attempt to draw a clear distinction between two contrasting ways of life. Like discussing a photo and its negative image, Paul challenges us to be drawn to the light … To live as children of the light!

Paul just finished telling us to put off the old corrupted self and put on the new man, created to be like Jesus! But what does that look like? Today, as if he were describing a new wardrobe, Paul goes into detail helping us understand what a new creature in Christ should look like! The virtues we must put on and the vices we must peel off determine our effectiveness at the daily task of transforming into Christ-likeness and proclaiming the Good News.

In today’s passage, Paul describes for the Ephesian believers a dramatic transformation he longs to see lived out in their lives. In Christ, in your true self, you are now going through a metamorphosis at a level deeper than even your DNA. You have been “born again,” born from above, and are becoming like Jesus. If not, something is very wrong.

Today’s passage is one of the New Testament’s most beautiful expressions of how the church is supposed to function. It is a nuts-and-bolts level look into God’s design for the Body of Christ. Some things run on gas, some things run on electricity … but the church runs on grace. Specifically, the grace that Jesus distributes among his followers. When that grace is on display it produces the type of power that equips God’s people, edifies the whole body, and evangelizes the planet … the gift that keeps on giving!

In Luke chapter 21, Jesus describes one future calamity after another to his disciples. Many people live in fear of the future. Some stick their head in the sand, hoping it gets better. Others give in to despair. They give up on what seems like a lost cause. But Jesus had different advice for us. Today we will consider his wise counsel for our future.

We come to the dramatic conclusion of John’s introduction … his Christmas account. In today’s passage, John makes the ultimate claim … to know God, and see His glory, you must fix your gaze by faith on Jesus Christ!

John’s series of amazing revelations continues. Jesus came to offer a dying world eternal life. Up until now, we have discussed things easily dismissed as “theology” or even theory. But “death becoming life” is tangible. Something is either dead or alive! Lazarus was dead, but came to life, and Jesus was in the tomb but now the tomb is empty. And today, in Christ, you become no longer a child of dust and death, but instead a child of God. And, one day, your tomb will be empty too!

Ever just get tired of the darkness? Darkness is depressing (shorter days, bad weather, etc.). Darkness is dangerous, and it is a favorite way to describe spiritual death in the Bible. Then Jesus comes along at Christmas and turns all that upside down!

John really wants you to meet Jesus, and know who He is! John writes 21 chapters worth of stories and commentary, which focuses only on the three last years of Jesus’ life and ministry. Today, you could meet Jesus in ways that could change your eternity, and turn your world upside down!