Episode 129 - Wisdom In Our Family (Part 2)

Who We Are In Jesus - A Study In Ephesians

Ephesians 5:15-6:4

1. Walk in wisdom – Ephesians 5:15-21

a. This is the umbrella over all we will study through verse 9 of Chapter 6

b. Start Inwardly – Look carefully i. Seize opportunities for God’s Best

1. Intentional Urgency

2. Healthy recognition of Reality

a. The days are evil ii. Understand God’s Will

1. Believe it is possible

2. Renew your mind – Romans 12:2

3. Live a Pure Life – 1 Thessalonians 4:3

4. Continually ask for a Filled Spirit

c. Move Outwardly – v19-21 i. Relate appropriately to others

1. Radiate Joy

2. Be Worshipful

3. Be Thankful – Always, for Everything

a. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

b. To God

c. Because of Jesus

4. Selflessly – others, first – submitted under Christ

5. Reverently – remember Whose you are

d. Begin at Home! 6:1-4 i. Again, Wisdom requires us to begin Inwardly, then move outwardly

1. With Christ as your primary relationship

a. Every verse from 22 to 32 relates our behavior to Christ’s example

b. Marriage, parenting, extended family, and work relationships are all secondary

2. Recognizing Marriage as a picture of a Higher Spiritual Reality

a. Explicit in verse 32, implicit in every verse, 23-30

3. Now, with 1 & 2 understood and internalized:

a. Children obey your parents i. In the Lord ii. This is Right

b. Children honor your parents i. God is watching ii. A reward is promised – 6:3; Exodus 20:12

c. Fathers do not provoke your children to anger i. Discipline them ii. Instruct them

d. Fear the Lord – Deuteronomy 6:1-3

e. Obey Him intentionally – v3

f. Love God supremely – v4-5

g. Teach your kids to Love God – v 6-9 i. Specifically ii. Intentionally iii. Routinely

h. Remember His Goodness – v10-12

i. Don’t be distracted – v13-15

j. Diligently Obey – v16-19

k. Rehearse His goodness – v 20

l. Protect your lineage – 7:1-8

m. Remember His Covenant – v9-11

2. This is Wisdom, walk in it

a. It starts on the inside! Where are you in your relationship with Jesus?

b. Before it moves outside – Do you understand how radically important it is to be connected into a local church family?

Other podcasts from The Woodpile Co:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.

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Episode 128 - Wisdom In Our Family (Part 1)

Who We Are In Jesus - A Study In Ephesians

Ephesians 5:15-6:4

1. Walk in wisdom

a. This is the umbrella of all we will study through verse 9 of Chapter 6

b. Start Inwardly – Look carefully i. Seize opportunities for God’s Best

1. Intentional Urgency

2. Healthy recognition of Reality

a. The days are evil ii. Understand God’s Will

1. Believe it is possible

2. Renew your mind – Romans 12:2

3. Live a Pure Life – 1 Thessalonians 4:3

4. Continually ask for a Filled Spirit

c. Move Outwardly i. Relate appropriately to others

1. Radiate Joy

2. Be Worshipful

3. Be Thankful – Always, for Everything

a. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

b. To God

c. Because of Jesus

4. Selflessly – others first – submitted under Christ

5. Reverently – remember Whose you are

d. Begin at Home! i. Again, Wisdom requires us to begin Inwardly, then move outwardly

1. With Christ as your primary relationship

a. Every verse from 22 to 32 relates our behavior to Christ’s example

b. Marriage, parenting, extended family and work relationships are all secondary

2. Recognizing Marriage as a picture of a Higher Spiritual Reality

a. Explicit in verse 32, implicit in every verse, 23-30

3. Now, with 1 & 2 understood and internalized:

a. The wife submits to her own husband - exclusively i. As to the Lord                                                             ii. The Husband is the Loving Leader iii. The Wife is the devoted Follower iv. The umbrella is Wisdom and mutual submission as Christ followers

b. Husband sacrificially loving your wife i. As Christ loved the church

1. He died for her!

2. Unconditionally

3. Sacrificially

4. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ii. Nourishing & Cherishing

1. Feeding & tenderly caring iii. Because of Verse 30 iv. The umbrella is Wisdom and mutual submission as Christ followers v. The process is inner before outer!

c. Therefore, get married! i. Men, get married & model Christ’s relationship to His Church ii. The world is dying to see this reality iii. Men – grow up / leave home / get married / have a family

1. The order matters!

2. Leave, Cleave, Weave

3. Oneness in Christ is the Goal

4. Christ modeled this behavior – He left Home, Cleaved to His Body, the Church, By the spirit he has woven Himself into the fabric of our lives because of His sacrificial love and care for us.

5. The mystery is now clear – Marriage is a picture of a far greater reality; Our distortion of it to meet our own selfish desires blocks people’s ability to see Jesus’ love, acceptance, value, and longing for His children.

6. Husbands love your wife – heart to heart

7. Wives respect your husband – shoulder to shoulder

8. This is the picture, the world is dying to see.

Other podcasts from The Woodpile Co:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠htt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692

Episode 127 - How We Shine

Who We Are In Jesus - A Study In Ephesians

Ephesians 5:3-14

Continuing the thought from our Unity as a church family in the first 10 verses of Ephesians 4, beyond how we Grow together to maturity in Christ in verses 11-16, expanding on how practically live out our faith, with a picture of walking in love, we now examine how we shine!

We shine by:

1. Living Pure lives – v3-6

a. No immorality

b. No filthiness

c. No idolatry

d. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

e. This lifestyle will certainly separate you in today’s world – and that is the idea

f. Some (not all) will be drawn to this light – this commitment; this separation from the world’s dark & destructive behavior

g. And, they’ll meet the Source of our LIGHT in the process

h. Remember 2:1-3 and 4:17-24 as we continue

Secondly, we shine by:

2. Walking as Children of Light – v 7-10

a. What is Good, Right, True

b. V10 – What is pleasing to the Lord – intentionally think about that

c. Motivated by what He has done for us – 5:2

d. John 8:12 – Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” i. Follow Him – Know, Love, Trust, Obey

e. 1 John 1:5-7

Finally, we shine by:

3. Exposing Darkness – v11-14

a. Intentionally shining our Light

b. John 1:5 - The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

c. Not rudely; not crudely; but, graciously

d. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11

e. Tom Eliff, former president of our International Mission Board and a preacher of the gospel for 62 years and counting – asked recently – “Are you aggressively cooperating with God’s purpose for your life?”

f. Are you? That is what we call shining! Our church exists to help you do that!

Other podcasts from The Woodpile Co:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠htt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692

Episode 126 - Celebrating How We Love

Who We Are In Jesus - A Study In Ephesians

Ephesians 4:17-32

Continuing the thought from our Unity as a church family in the first 10 verses of Ephesians 4, beyond how we Grow together to maturity in Christ in verses 11-16, Paul now turns to how we practically live out our faith, with a picture of walking in love.

We love:

1. Not as the world does– v17-20

a. Futility, darkened, alienated, ignorant, hardness, callous, sensual, greedy, impure

b. Corrupt, deceitful desires

2. With a renewed mind – v21-23

a. Romans 12:1-2

3. In a new wardrobe – v24

a. Put off

b. Put on – in the likeness of God

c. True righteousness – internal, not external – Matthew 5:20

d. Holiness – 1 Peter 1:14-16

4. Truthfully – v25-26

a. Remember verses 2, 15

b. Confess

c. Repent

d. Forgive

e. Move Forward

5. Through Our Work – v27-28

a. Enabling us to help others

b. Pastor James will have more to share about this in a few weeks as we get into Ch 6.

6. With Our Words – v29

a. Building Up – v15-16 – James 3:6

b. Giving Grace

7. Remembering His Love for Us! – v30; 5:1-2

a. He sealed us; we are His beloved children;

b. Imitate Christ’s example of sacrifice to God i. It’s not about what you give up; but who you do it for! ii. He sacrificed for us, to God.

8. By releasing our hurts & initiating Forgiveness – v31-32

Friends, this is who we are and how we are to operate – The body of Christ, loving each other.

Let’s keep on Loving, together! I Thessalonians 4:9-10

Are you loving like this? Verse 4:21 - Love God? & Love Others – Whom do you need to love today? Forgive today?

Humble yourself and ask for forgiveness?

Eph 4:1-3 – He begins the chapter challenging us to walk worthy and concludes with challenging us to forgive those who have wronged us.

Other podcasts from The Woodpile Co:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠htt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692

Episode 125 - Celebrating Our GrowthWho We Are In Jesus - A Study In EphesiansEphesians 4:11-16

Continuing the thought from our Unity as a church family in the first 10 verses of Ephesians 4, Paul now shares the incredible ways we are designed to grow as a body to achieve His purposes in the world.



We grow:

1. From the equipping of our Leaders – v11

a. They are given asgifts to the church i. Apostles - Plant ii. Prophets - Preach iii. Evangelists - Share iv. Shepherd/Teachers – Care/Prayer

b. They equip us for ministry i. Follow their lead

ii. Hebrews 13:7, 17 iii. I don’t think there is a more joyful pastor than me. really don’t. iv. That is because of God, who placed me here; and because of you – I know I am here as your shepherd – God has made that very clear to me; and your response to my leadership is so encouraging. Thank you!  

2. By ministering to one another – v12

a. Think how we do that: i. Teachers teach ii. Servants serve iii. Singers sing iv. Players play v. Counters count vi. Bakers bake vii. Ushers ush viii. Deacons deac… ix. Encouragers encourage x. Witnesses share xi. Friends are friendly…

3. Until we are completely like Jesus – v13

a. Our goal isprogress, not perfection

b. In unity

c. In knowledge – 1:18-20; 3:18-19

d. To maturity –progress! Are you a more mature Christ-follower than you were 5 yrs ago; 2 years ago; 6 months ago? How are you measuring your progress?

e. By following Him closely

4. For our own protection – v14

a. There are dangers associated with not growing

b. Immature

c. Defenseless

d. No stability

e. No anchor

f. No purpose

g. No direction

h. No Impact!

5. By speaking the Truth in Love – v15

a. Truth, by itself leads to legalism, and judgmentalism

b. Love, by itself leads to license to sin, love does not mean you can do whatever you want – love is accountable

c. Jesus is the perfect balance of both –John 1:14, 17 i. Not 50/50; but, 100/100!

d. This is intentional, not accidental – Hebrews 10:24-25

6. Wheneach part of the body functions properly – v16

a. You are necessary!

b. Your contribution matters – large or small – 1 Corinthians 12:18-27

c. Whole body, every joint, each part, the body

7. Together, in Love!

a. 4:2 – bearing with one another in Love – our Umbrella

b. 1 Corinthians 12:27- – the still more excellent way!

c. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Friends, this is who we are and how we are to operate – The body of Christ, equipped to grow, all contributing as He fits us together and gifts us to serve one another in Love.

Let’s keep on growing, together!

Amen!

Are you in on this? Do you have a relationship with Christ? - ? ? - You can’t mature in Christ, until you are in Christ!

Are you a part of a church family? When you talk about something that happens at church, or a decision that is made, do you say, ‘we’ did that; or, ‘they’ did that. Our language gives away what we really think. Let’s be ‘we’, together!

Other podcasts from Woodpile Ministries:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠htt⁠⁠ps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692

Episode 124 - Celebrating Our Unity

After 3 chapters of learning who we are as the loved, called, and chosen children of God’s family…

After 3 chapters of seeing all we have in Christ – His Presence, Power, Spirit, and Love in abundance.

Now, therefore – Paul implores the church at Ephesus to live out their faith – to put it all into practice – to, as he says, walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called – you, as in, all of you, corporately, not as individuals, but as the collective Body of Christ, locally,

You, walk out your calling in a worthy manner. What does that look like?

As a local church, display:

1. Humility – similar to his words to the Philippian church in 2:1-4

2. Gentleness

3. With Patience

4. Bearing with one another in Love (getting along; Love is overarching)

5. Eager to maintain the Unity of the Spirit

a. Unity is focused on what we have in common; not our differences

b. Instead of sowing discord – Proverbs 6:16-19

6. In the Bond (uniting principle / ligament) of Peace – Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the Peacemakers!

What is this Unity? What does it entail? How do we understand unity?

Unity majors on the majors:

1. One Body – The fellowship of Believers – a local congregation

2. One Spirit – The Holy Spirit who activates our fellowship through saving us and indwelling us

3. One Hope – The Glorious Future He promises us – Our abundant life – Now & Forever

4. One Lord – Christ Jesus, to whom we all belong – The Head of the church! Acts 4:12

5. One Faith – Our singular commitment to Christ – Ephesians 2:8-9

6. One Baptism – The outward sign of our salvation and our alignment with His church

7. Finally, One God – Our Heavenly Father, over all

With this in common, there is nothing that should divide us. There is much room for gentle, agreeable disagreement, within a family that lives and loves under this umbrella.

This word is for a plural body – a corporate ‘we’, if you will, but in verse 7 he begins to picture the diversity of our individual gifting within this united body:

Verse 7 – But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

We’ll see the incredible impact of how these individual gifts beautifully fit us together, as we continue next week in verses 11-16. The impact can be, and should be astounding – for us, and to the watching world around us!

Let’s close with verses 8-10

These verses speak of the remarkable activity of the Lord Jesus who came from Heaven to Earth, lived, died, rose, and ascended back to Heaven to rule and reign over his universe.

1. Heaven to Earth – Incarnation

2. Life on Earth to the underworld after his death

3. Simply, his life and burial

Regardless, it means He has taken the initiative to come to us, conquering sin and death and making it possible for us to be His, with all the incredible attributes as a child of God, and as a Body of Christ!

This preeminent one, the true Master of the Universe, is the one who chooses to give gifts to His children. He is the One we worship. Do you know Him? Are you serving Him? Are you united with a Body of Believers?

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692⁠

Episode 123 - Understanding Generosity

1.  The Context of our Celebration – Galatians 1: 22-24

a. Glorifying God, not us!

b. Celebrating what He has done through us.

c. This should become clear through the message

2. How do we understand Generosity like this?

3. Generosity is motivated by examples of devotion – 1 Chronicles 29:1-5

4. Generosity follows an invitation to a Vision far beyond ourselves – v5

a. Not coercion

b. Not need

c. Willingness is implied AND stated

d. The invitation – Give yourself first to the Lord; He’ll show you what to give

e. This is consistent with Paul’s reporting on generosity in extreme poverty in the NT – 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

5. Spiritual Leaders give first – v6-8

a. Freely

b. Clearly

c. Specifically

6. Generosity excites Worship – v9-13

a. Willingly

b. Wholly

c. Freely

7. Worship excites Generosity – v14-16

a. It’s easy to give when you recognize, ‘It’s all His’

b. This means you can’t out give God! He’s already given you everything you have.

c. This reality unties the purse strings like none other

8. Generosity is fueled by a devoted heart – v17-18

a. A heart of integrity before the Lord

b. Will freely give all it can

c. To the One who gave His all for us.

d. 2 Corinthians 5:21

9. Generosity produces Joy – v9, v22

a. O Friends, don’t miss the Joy of Generosity

b. Let me ask a concluding question - Are we joyful because we are so generous; or, are we generous because we are so joyful?

c.  The answer is, appropriately, “I can’t tell!” Which, based on our Scriptures this morning – is exactly as it should be.

d. These Israelites (OT), or the Macedonians in the NT, or the Midwayians in 2025 all live the same truth expressed in 1 Chronicles 29:9 and 2 Corinthians 8:5 and in your active, joyful giving over many years…

e. You can’t outgive God; but, it sure is fun to try!

f. Let’s continue the Joy in 2025!

g. Amen? Amen!

Other podcasts from Woodpile Ministries:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692⁠⁠

Episode 122 - Our Unimaginable Power

A Prayer for us all: A PRAYER FOR STRENGTH

WHY WE PRAY:

- Why do we pray for STRENGTH? – Why do we need strength?

o Corruption, deceit, abuse, thievery, addiction, hate, injustice, sickness, failure, war, suffering, depression, sorrow, fear

o John 16:33 – “In this world you will have tribulation…” – Jesus

o   We pray for STRENGTH because we need strength to face the world around us and the sin within us.

- Why do we PRAY for strength? - Where do you seek Strength?

o What if these things were removed from you? … would your Strength be affected?

o John 16:33 – “… but take heart; I have overcome the world.” - Jesus

o   We PRAY for strength because God is the only capable source of True Strength to overcome the world around us and the sin within us!

REAL QUICK SIDE NOTE:

- How often should we pray? The Bible tells us to pray A LOT!

o Philippians 4:6

o   1 Thessalonians 5:17

- Prayer is a two way conversation … talk and LISTEN!

o Proverbs 3:5-6

WHAT WE PRAY FOR:

Strengthened by the POWER of His Spirit – 3:14-17a

- God IN us = unique

o 10,000 distinct world religions

o 12 major religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Jainism, Shinto, Taoism, Baha'i, and Zoroastrianism

- We pray for Power … God doesn’t send us Power, HE IS THE POWER inside of us.

- FAITH – Hebrews 11:6

o Faith = Knowledge + Action

Strengthened by the LOVE of Christ – 3:17b-19a

- KNOW His Love – EXPERIENCE His Love

o Sacrifice FOR us

o Forgiveness TO us

o Love THROUGH us

- Rooted & Grounded

o Romans 12 – We KNOW the Love of Jesus so that we can SHOW the Love of Jesus

Strengthened by the KNOWLEDGE of God – 3:19b

- KNOW God -> LOVE God -> TRUST God -> OBEY God

o How God does this … FULL of God – Colossians 1

- Jesus = Our Example - “FULL of God” – Colossians 2:9

- Life = Knowing God

o John 10:10

o John 17:3

WHO WE PRAY TO:

Prayed to God, Who is able to do exceedingly more than we

- He Promises to give us the true desires of our hearts – Psalm 37:4

- Do you TRUST Him?

… according to His Power at work WITHIN US. - 3:20b

- He works His Will IN & THROUGH us.

- Matthew 7:7

- POWER … to step out in Faith

- LOVE … to show to others

- KNOWLEDGE … to walk with Him

Does your Calling, your Mission, your Purpose require HIS

- Does the life you are living require God’s Power … or are you having a go at it on your own?

- Does what you set out to accomplish each day require His Power? Does who you set out to be each day require His Love? Does how you see & interpret the world around you require a growing Knowledge of Him?

- If not … this is my prayer for you!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692⁠⁠

2024 Christmas Advent Realities

Advent Love

John 3:16; 1 John 4:7

This extraordinary Good News that we celebrate at Christmas and, indeed, every day is …

1. You are loved by God!

a. Christmas proves it! John 3:16

b. The pronouncement – Good news of Great Joy – Luke 2:10-14

c. Jesus is a gift of love; given to save us – Luke 2:11; John 3:16

2. His Love empowers our Love!

a. 1 John 4:7-8

b. His initiative

3. His Love brings LIFE!

a. 1 John 4:9

b. His incarnation

4. His Love pays for our sin

a. 1 John 4:10

b. Satisfying the wrath of a Holy, Perfect God

c. Pardon – set free, but at what cost? For Justice to be satisfied the debt must be paid.

5. Our Love shows His Love

a. 4:11-16

b. To other believers

c. To a watching world

6. His Love gives us Confident Hope

a. V17-19

b. For the future Judgment

c. For the present life up to and including death

7. His Love holds us accountable

a. V20-21

b. You get this because the Midway Family is such a loving church!

8. Advent Love - His Love is the Reason for It All

a. God loves you! Personally, Individually, Specifically, and Lavishly

b. May you both experience and share His Perfect Love this Christmas!

Other podcasts from Woodpile Ministries:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692⁠⁠

2024 Christmas Advent Realities

Advent Peace

Luke 2:8-14

a. The Good News is designed to bring Peace

b. God has entered in to our Humanity – John 1:14 – to dwell with us

c. His Presence should bring Peace, and yet…

2. Peace is Elusive

a. We search and search for it

b. We medicate because of the lack of it

3. Peace is Conditional

a. It requires something of us

b. V14 – reserved for those with whom God is pleased

This leads us to some basic questions:

1. With whom is God pleased?

2. What is Faith – Hebrews 11:1-2

1. Perfectly Holy/Just – His standard is Perfection

2. Perfectly Loving – His essence is Love

3. Perfectly Good – His actions are Good

3. What is His Reward?

4. How does this Peace work?

a. Philippians 4:6-7 – comes through trusting God in a personal relationship of honesty

b. Philippians 4:8-9 – draws you deeper into the Relationship with the very God of Peace

c. The elusive, but readily available, Peace can be yours right now

5. Do you have Advent Peace?

6. Do you want it?

Other podcasts from Woodpile Ministries:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692⁠⁠