Have you said something and immediately thought, "That sounded just like my parents"? We have those moments because to some degree, we're all products of our environments (our parents, schools, communities, etc.). The cultural environment of the Ephesus region was one dominated by all kinds of sexual behavior and speech that led to all kinds of dysfunction in life with God and others. In this section of Ephesians, Paul urges followers of Christ to "live as children of light" and to make a clean break with the darkness that once defined us because now it's God who defines us and gives us power to live like Father, like Son.

Paul had only a few words to summarize our life in Christ he might say, "Follow God's example...walk in the way of love." Easy enough, right? Well, walking in the way of love is never a solo journey -- we follow God's example in God's power and in God's community. The Christian community makes Christianity practical, not just theoretical, and it can get messy. That's why Paul gives us some very practical reminders and motivations to live our life in Christ together. They aren't just "do's" and "don'ts", they are steps Jesus has taken before us on the way of love -- and we're called to follow in his steps.

The second half of Ephesians began with the urging to "live a life worthy of our calling" (4.1). Now, Paul returns to his message by insisting that followers of Jesus make a clean break with their former lives so they can live fully in Christ. In Jesus, we're free from our old patterns of living and thinking so we can finally put the darkness away. In Jesus, our minds are being renewed. In Jesus, we can put on our new self that's made in the image of God. In Jesus, we've been given a new life -- why should we go back now?

We've ridden up the mountain, taking in all the ski lift views of our life in Christ in chapters 1-3 and now it's time to hop off and head down the trail into the "Now what?" section of Ephesians (chapters 4-6). Paul's reminded the young churches that they are the body of Christ and now he implores them to grow into the mature, truthful, and healthy body the Church is called to be. Christ has given each individual a gift and he's given each church different leaders to help build up the body. The question is, "Are we all working and maturing together?"

This sermon wraps up the summer series "Our Church". We've been asking the questions, "Who are we called to be?" and "What are we called to do?" each week. However, the truth is that the answers to these questions can change with each season of our life of following Jesus together. That's why it's so crucial for us to continually live in a rhythm of calling out to Jesus and being called by Jesus to take the next step. This rhythm of calling and being called is powerfully illustrated in the famous healing of blind Bartimaeus. Place yourself in this story, call out to Jesus, and you might even hear Jesus calling you.

The table was and is the center of Christian gatherings all over the world. It's the place where people of all backgrounds, classes, or nations can find a seat and share in the bread and wine of the Savior sacrificed for all. So what kind of table is our church gathering around? Are others welcome to find a seat regardless of their status? We ask these questions and look at the words of James and Jesus in hopes of discovering a rhythm of welcoming and inviting that looks more like a kingdom banquet and less like the status-driven tables of the world.

Psalm 100 contains some of the most familiar words in all of the Psalter like, "Praise his name", "Make a joyful noise", or "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving". Just like our favorite songs we've heard so many times in the car or on the stage, these familiar words can still move us to respond together. Worship is our response to who God is and what God does. Worship is more than the songs we sing, the words we say, or the forms we follow -- those things are the vehicles that help us respond with all we are to all God is. Hear the Psalmist's call to worship!

Who is our church called to be? What is our church called to do? Our answers really don't matter if we're not a praying church. The first church was formed and fueled by prayer. Luke gives us an incredible insight into the form and content of their prayers even in the face of persecution. What might our church learn about prayer from the very first followers of Jesus? You're not alone if you've struggled to pray -- look to the brothers and sisters who've gone before us and learn alongside our church today.

Some churches call it "mission", we call it "blessing." Whatever the word, the church is called to proclaim and demonstrate the reign of God "on earth as it is in heaven." In this message we look at Jesus' summary of his mission and we explore ways in which we follow in his footsteps. To be a Blessing Church means to be on mission with Jesus, for Jesus, and like Jesus.

Pastor Adam spent a week praying Psalm 23 and thinking about the varied terrain of our lives. There are times of rest in green pastures, times of danger in dark valleys, but in the end, our Shepherd will always lead us home. There are no shortcuts on the path but the good news is that our Shepherd will never leave us where he leads us.