Racism and cultural divides have embittered people against one another since the dawn of time. During the Biblical era, the Jewish people considered all Gentiles to be unclean and did not allow the uncircumcised into the inner courts of the temple. Pastor Terry teaches from Ephesians chapter two today where we will learn the glorious news that through Christ all racial boundaries have been destroyed. Jesus unites all people from all walks of life into One Body through His glorious grace. Religious or cultural barriers no longer divide brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Pastor Terry continues our study in the book of Ephesians today. He points out that we all once walked in blind darkness, not understanding the answers to life’s questions. Therefore, even the most wise and intelligent of this world are foolish in the eyes of God. However, when someone gives their heart to Jesus, their eyes are opened and everything falls into perfect place. Suddenly God’s truth illuminates their heart, and that truth gives divine purpose and meaning for everyday living. When we are God’s children, Abba Father lavishes on us rich and everlasting grace.

Pastor Terry continues to unpack the amazing treasures we receive as sons and daughters of the Most High God in our study of Ephesians. Today we will learn that once we give our hearts and lives to Jesus, the Holy Spirit is given to us as a seal, or promise. The Holy Spirit indwells Believers. Our bodies become the temple of the Lord. When the Spirit comes to live inside us, He empowers us to live Godly lives and to accomplish the good works for which the Lord has prepared for us to do. The gift of the Spirit is an incredible evidence of the far reaching grace of God!

Pastor Terry teaches us today about all the generous gifts that God gives us as we continue our study in the book of Ephesians. The gift of the Holy Spirit acts as a divine seal that validates our membership into God’s family. Those whom the Spirit indwells hear His voice and are radically changed from within. The fruit of the Holy Spirit, such as kindness, patience, and self control, are evident in a born again Believer. These fruits authenticate His presence in our lives. Therefore, Pastor Terry asks us to examine ourselves to determine if indeed the Holy Spirit is inside of us.

The Christian faith walk should be a steady march upward. While it is true that Christ followers will stumble or get distracted sometimes, those that are observing closely should be able to see tangible evidence of our growth through time. Pastor Terry admonishes us to be known for our faithfulness to Jesus Christ in today’s message from Ephesians chapter one. Even though the church in Ephesus had faced false teaching and great persecution, they continued on and were known for their unyielding faithfulness and their love for all of the saints.

The Apostle Paul prayed for the church often and was always concerned about people’s spiritual well being. Pastor Terry examines Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians in today’s message from Ephesians chapter 1 today. The Apostle asks the Lord to increase the church’s wisdom and love for each other. Most of all, Paul prays that the Ephesians would know the Lord in an increasingly intimate way. Therefore, whatever we do should be in the pursuit of King Jesus and a relationship with Him. All Bible study, church attendance, and daily life should help us reach the goal of knowing the Lord more.

Pastor Terry begins a study of the letter to the Ephesians by reminding us of its author’s history. Saul of Tarsus was a zealous Pharisee who at one point in time oversaw the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. However, Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus and was never the same. The Lord changed Saul’s name to Paul, meaning little, because Paul understood the greatness of Jesus. Paul became the Apostle to the Gentiles and was used to bring thousands to Christ and plant churches all over the Middle East and Europe. Paul would also end up writing most of the New Testament, including the book of Ephesians.

The Apostle Paul’s opening greeting in the letter to the Ephesians is powerful and full of truth. Pastor Terry unpacks the first 3 verses in the book of Ephesians today and outlines the theme for the entire letter. That theme is this: because of God’s great grace, we have received unmerited favor and have been given all spiritual gifts to aid us in this life and give us hope for the life to come. Pastor Terry reminds us that we are rich in heavenly blessings! We have peace that sustains us and have been adopted into God’s family as sons and daughters.

Pastor Terry continues our exciting study in the book of Ephesians today. The Apostle Paul writes that we who are in Christ were chosen to be in God’s family from the foundation of the world. The Lord God knew us before we were born. Jesus agreed to die on our behalf before we were ever made. Pastor Terry asks us to really ponder these truths today. Because of Christ’s death, we have been made children of God. As such, we have been given an incredibly rich heritage and a wealthy inheritance that will last for all eternity.

Pastor Terry preaches an impactful message from Ephesians chapter 1 today. We will hear the Apostle Paul speak to Believers in Christ who were chosen from the foundation of the world to be in the family of God. Pastor Terry teaches us that it is God’s will and good pleasure that we be in an intimate love relationship with Him. Therefore, the moment that we give our lives to Jesus, we are born again. This new birth gives us immediate access to the throne of God and to all the rights and privileges of a son or daughter. We cannot earn these rights on our own, but they are forever ours through grace.