Our series continues, this Christmas Eve, as Patrick and Jonah lead us into Ephesians 4:1-8. We recently heard Paul’s beautiful prayer for strength that we may “know the love of Christ” and “be filled with all the fullness of God.” Now we turn our attention to the calling we have each been called to—one that we are free to accept, decline or be in never ending struggle with. Paul describes his calling as being a prisoner or servant in the Lord. Modern consciousness resists these words and all their connotations. But, surely we can recognize the uniquely human brand of dignity that comes from freely choosing to serve another? Christ’s love flows freely towards us. Can we walk in a manner worthy of the calling?

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Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

Dear Listeners,
There will be no full podcast on the theme this week, but Patrick is offering up this prayer from Ephesians 3:14-21 for us. We invite you to listen to the short audio above. This translation is based on the English Standard Version, with new elements translated by Patrick.

The Prayer for the Ephesians 

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every lineage in heaven and on earth receives its Name, that according to the abundance of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the hidden human being within you, so that Christ may inhabit your hearts through faith

—that you, being rooted and grounded in divine love, may find the strength to grasp, along with all the consecrated ones, what is 

the breadth 

and length

and height 

and depth, 

and to know the love of Christ that is the most surpassing knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

Now to him who is able to do far more than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 

to him be glory in the Ecclesia, the church, and in Christ Jesus throughout all future generations, 

forever and ever. 

Amen.

— Ephesians 3:14-21

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

In our next episode, Jonah and Patrick take us deeper into the significance of the Adam, or human being, first being created in the ‘selem’ or image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) and its relationship to Paul’s understanding of the risen Christ Jesus. What is the purpose of the human being in the unfolding cosmic story? What are we meant to reveal through Christ Jesus? Can we feel that without Him we are cut off and one-sided?

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

Our series continues with a closer look at Ephesians 3:8-11, where Paul points to the ‘manifold wisdom of God’ being made known even in the heavenly places, by the ecclesia—the community of all who hear the call of Christ Jesus. Paul tells us that this Sophia (Wisdom) of God has been hidden for ages in God, but with Christ’s deed of sacrificial love on the cross—and all that flowed from it—this mystery was unveiled and revealed on the stage of world-history. New wisdom and new power now flow from the cross. These purposes put in place by God since the beginning are now being born through Christ Jesus, through us.

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

The word ‘mystery appears in the New Testament twenty-seven times, with twenty-four references coming from Paul’s letters to the ancient churches. In modern times we can easily understand mystery as a riddle to be solved; but how is Paul using the word, particularly in his letter to the Ephesians? In this episode, Jonah and Patrick delve into what Paul first experienced as the ‘Mystery of Christ’ on the road to Damascus and continued to share throughout his ministry—that the hidden wisdom and purposes of the old mystery centers were fulfilled in Christ Jesus and a new mystery coming into being—one that integrates and includes all.

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

In our next episode, Patrick and Jonah go deeper into Paul’s understanding of God’s work to shape a “people”, the whole idea of ancient Israel. What is revealed is that the separating off and forming of one nation always had the larger mission of reintegration and “blessing” within it. The story of God’s chosen people was meant to grow into a new humanity and community, one that ultimately unites and reconciles all people to one another. Paul understood that the mystery of Christ Jesus’ death and resurrection was not simply about an individual being, but about the death and resurrection of a people—a people that will continue to expand until all who can unite themselves with Him are included.

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

The next episode in our series focuses on the particular way that Jesus Christ works with sin, or human error. We are reminded that Christ condemned no human being while on earth; his condemnation was directed towards his true adversary. Nor does Christ condemn us now. Instead, he offers love, understanding and compassion for the great work we are in and what we struggle against. Can we humble ourselves in such a way that, moment to moment, the possibility exists for us to see our errors? From that place, can we ask for help, from God and from each other? Perhaps more importantly, can we stretch our hearts to love as Christ loves — embracing and incorporating all the threads of our disharmony into His pure and beautiful song?

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

Jonah and Patrick continue to draw parallels between Paul’s first encounter with Christ Jesus and writer Naomi Wolf’s encounter with Jesus years ago, only recently described publicly in her essay “The Thing I Feared Most to Write.” What does it take to open ourselves to receiving something that lies well beyond our everyday consciousness? Are we willing to be changed forever? Christ Jesus’ heart holds the grief of the world and profound joy and love, all at the same time. Can our hearts stretch to encompass both realities, even for a moment? Can we make a home for Him?

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

In this episode, we return to Paul’s image of a living temple formed by joining together human beings who were once divided (Eph 2:14-22). Christ’s peace reconciles us to God and allows for God to dwell in us. How will this new temple community continue to grow? Patrick and Jonah share the story of well known author Naomi Wolf’s experience of meeting Jesus. How does her encounter shed light on our own glimpses of Christ and his heavenly kingdom woven through our earthly experience?

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

The next episode in our series takes us deeper into Ephesians 2, beginning with Jonah’s question “Where is Christ today? How can we find him?” Patrick answers by describing the biblical history of the temple, meant to house God on earth. Where is the new temple? Paul understands that the seat of the throne of God is destined to be in the hearts of human beings who long for healing.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself bing the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you are also being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Eph 2:19-22)

Support the show

Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.”

The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.