The second half of Ephesians is about how God means us to live now that we are His children. Who we are shapes what we do. This passage from Ephesians 4:1–16 is about growing up. It’s about who we’ll be when we’re all grown up in Christ, and it shows us how we’ll get … [Read More…] Together We Grow
What do you want to be when you grow up?” was always the question. Adults would always ask it. As a kid, I would quietly wonder about it. When you’re young, there’s so much mystery surrounding your future. What will I do when I’m all grown up? Who will I become? As followers … [Read More…] June 18, 2023
The call to missions is not just to those abroad, it is also to our neighbors across the street. When Jesus commissions us to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), it’s a commission for here and there, near and far. Jesus’ disciples are to go and be His “witnesses in Jerusalem … [Read More…] June 11, 2023
For many, the deepest WHY of missions is lacking. The early church understood that EVERYTHING spirals out of our understanding of God—the triune God of the Bible. “…As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you. And with that, he breathed [on them] and said, Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:19–22) As … [Read More…] Missio Dei & Me
God’s mission to bring salvation to all nations began in Genesis 3:15, when God promised to crush the serpent’s head through the coming Seed of Adam. The problem of sin applies to all of humanity; and the promise made to Adam applies to all of his descendants. This is the first proclamation of the … [Read More…] June 4, 2023
Ephesians is really setting us up well for our Missions Week on June 4–11. We’ve been learning about the glories of our salvation (1:3–23) that not only brings us to life in reconciliation with God (2:1–10), but also brings us into God’s multi-ethnic family in reconciliation with one another (2:11–22). God’s purpose all along … [Read More…] May 28, 2023
The Apostle Paul is writing the letter to the Ephesians from a Roman prison because the Jews in Jerusalem accused him of fraternizing with Gentiles. And here in Ephesians 3:1-13, Paul tells us it’s worth it! All the sufferings for the Gospel, all the hardship, pain, loss, and imprisonment, every bit of it is worthwhile…because … [Read More…] The Wonder of the Gospel
Did you know that as a follower of Jesus Christ you have a secret identity? By grace, through faith, in Jesus, you are a son or daughter of God! You are royalty incognito. You are an eternal being hidden in time. You are a Titan in this everyday world. You say, “But I don’t … [Read More…] Our True Selves
