Valley Community Church

Reading: Ephesian 3: 14 - 21

In this episode, we explore Ephesians 3:14–21, where Paul transitions from doctrine to doxology—a prayer revealing why the Gospel matters. Using rowing as a metaphor, we reflect on how deep knowledge of God shapes our lives into worship. Doctrine, unity, and intentional living are key themes as Paul sets the stage for practical teaching on relationships and community. Our lives, lived in sync with the Gospel, become true worship that glorifies God.

Reading: Ephesians 3: 1 - 13

In this episode, we reflect on the profound transformation of Paul—from a zealous persecutor of Christians to a passionate apostle to the Gentiles. Once shaped by rigid religious tradition, Paul’s encounter with Jesus flipped his worldview upside down, driving him to proclaim the radical mystery of the Gospel: that Gentiles are now full heirs in God’s family. We unpack Paul's background, his revelation of grace, and the cost he bore with joy to spread this message. His life challenges us to consider how the Gospel might still upend and renew our own lives today.

Reading: Ephesians 2:11–22Today’s session explores Ephesians 2:11–22, emphasizing Paul’s call for the Ephesian Gentiles to remember God’s faithfulness. Using examples from Israel’s history—like the golden calf, the 12 spies, and Solomon— it illustrates how forgetfulness led to disobedience driven by comfort, fear, envy, and pride. Just as Israel drifted from God, the Ephesians and modern believers risk doing the same. True peace and unity are found in remembering Christ, our cornerstone.

Reading: Ephesians 2: 1- 10.

This week we explore two questions prompted by this iconic portion of scripture: How we come to faith, and what of good works in the Christian walk. We look at the two most popular protestant understandings of salvation (Calvinism and Arminianism), identifying points of agreement and diversion.

Reading: Ephesians 1: 13 - 23

This week we discuss the Holy Spirit and the Church. Paul writes in service of unity in the Ephesian church, and this week we have an opportunity to see how and what Paul expects the impact and work of the Holy Spirit to be in the church. Consequently, we also begin to realise why unity is so important for our experience of faith and for the continued mission of God to restore and liberate creation, if we are to be involved.

Reading Ephesians 1: 7-14

This week we explore the cosmic nature of the Gospel. It is the culmination of the Creator's efforts to restore His creation back to Himself. Paul is continuing to lay the groundwork for the new reality that the church lives in, Jews and Gentiles both drawn into the Kingdom of God through Jesus, both restored to relationship with their Creator.

Reading Ephesians 1: 3-7

We move into the body of Ephesians this week. Paul begins by unpacking the reality of the Gospel, how and what it changes for us, and what it should mean for every Christian. The passage is doctrine but it is also worship and we get the sense that Paul is writing from a deep personal conviction on this topic. In weeks to come we will see how a right grasp of this story helps bring about the same grace and mercy in our lives, that has been extended by God to us, through Christ.

Reading Ephesians 1: 1-3.

In this week's message we explore the background and emphasis of Paul's letter to the Ephesian church. Paul, writing under house arrest in Rome, no doubt reflecting on his own life and ministry, writes to encourage, teach and enflame the local churches in Asia-minor, pointing them toward the centrality of Christ, the joy that comes from right doctrine and urging them onward now bearing the armour of God (ch.6).

Study for the the week of 24 February, 2025.

In this study we examine the spiritual discipline of Service. Freud said 'All men wish to be great'. We all feel that. We long for prestige and influence. Pride knocks at the door. The discipline of Service wrests back control of our desires, it encourages humility in our hearts and dignifies the people around us. We are called to serve, as Jesus served, and in so doing enter His Kingdom, and enjoy Gospel life.

This week we explore the discipline of Confession. What is it, why do we do it and how do we do it. In our discussion we discover confession is a two man job, we consider why confession post salvation remains key to our maturing and transformation, and see how the practice protects us from pride and shapes us into authentic, unpretentious, Christlike individuals and as a community.