Note: This recording does not include the reading of Psalm 107. We recommend that you read or listen to Psalm 107 prior to listening to the sermon.

We will be wrapping up the book of Ephesians this Sunday, and Paul concludes with a call to being prepared for the battle that we face. We need to recognize that: We are all in a battle We will have to fight or resist We are not fighting people! We have an enemy who is very clever and tricky, and he never stops fighting us. We need not fear the battles, we can come out of every battle standing up We have sufficient weapons and the power of God for every battle I encourage you to read Ephesians 6:10-24 and then we will dig into it together on Sunday to understand the provision that God has made for us to be victorious in the battle that we face.

This weekend we continue our journey in Ephesians, looking at chapter 6:1-9. We will recall that we are working through what scholars have called the household codes. Paul is addressing first-century households and specifically telling them a more Christianly way to live. As we prayerfully study these passages this weekend, I would encourage us to not only consider these passages in light of children and slaves, but in light of ourselves. We are God's children. Are we obedient? And yes, shocking at it may sound, Paul, would want us to consider ourselves God's slaves. How's your slavery to Jesus?

We are steadily moving our way through Ephesians and this weekend we turn to Ephesians 5:21-33. This part of Ephesians 5 and the early part of Ephesians 6 are referred to as the household codes by scholars. Paul takes up specific instruction for three major relationships: the relationship of marriage, the relationship between parents and kids, and between masters and slaves. We will be learning some historical context to understand these passages in their first-century setting. Then we will lead to an application in our current culture. I would encourage you to read through our passage for this weekend carefully. Try to set aside your reaction to some of the negative connotations that have at times surrounded this passage. As I sat and studied this week, I was deeply touched with a picture of a magnificent marriage that Paul portrays here.

Last week we learned to keep putting off the old self and to keep putting on the new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Paul now tells us, "Don't do darkness! Live lit!" Imitate God! Live in the light, like a lamp that is lit, letting your light shine! I encourage you to read Ephesians 5:1-20 over and over again. How are we to live as people of the light? There seems to be a secret key to living this life of light. What is it?There is so much in this passage, and I'm looking forward to experiencing it together with you on Sunday through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The rubber hits the road.  - We've worked our way through Ephesians 1,2,3 and started into Chapter 4. This weekend we finish up Ephesians 4 with studying verses 17 to 32. So far we've been amazed at what God has done on our behalf. This weekend the text takes a significant turn and brings this teaching home with specific instruction on how to live our lives. The rubber hits the road!Since God has been so generous toward us, how then, might we live in generosity toward each other? Since we are united in Christ, how might this "unitedness" affect the ways in which we treat each other? Since we are united in Christ, how do we treasue this relationship that we have with Jesus?Let the words of Ephesians 4 wash over you. Let them fill your mind. Let them fill you heart. Be changed. Be transformed. Be a new creation in Christ.

Paul has wrapped up the prayer in Ephesians chapter 3. He closes it with a benediction. This week we launch into Ephesians 4:1-16. Take a look over these verses. My NLT Bible provides a heading titling this section "Unity in the Body". Notice how starting in chapter 4 and on through the rest of the book of Ephesians the tone changes.Paul has been focusing in Ephesians 1 through 3 on the amazing blessings that we have received from God and how this blessing makes us united. Now we get down to the nitty-gritty, we get down to how this works in the church. As we prepare for Sunday, here's a few things to think about. What's the difference between unity and conformity? How important is this unity according to Paul? What is the end result of this unity among us? What does this unity look like among us at Transformation Church?

This weekend we will be opening up our Bibles to Ephesians 3:14-21. Paul falls to his knees and prays to "the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven on earth." Paul's prayer is passionate, deep, overflowing and full of hope. As humans who crave to be loved Paul offers us a love that promises to keep us strong. He invites us to be lost in a love that is boundless. As we prepare for learning more about this love on Sunday, I would suggest that this preperation could begin most effectively in prayer on our knees. This love is not something that we will learn only with our minds. This is an experience which Paul prays that we will have. How do we experience this love? How does it keep us strong? Can God really do infinitely more than we might ask or think? Does Paul come from a different planet when he says that we will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God? This sure sounds heavenly but does it connect with us "earthlings" who see brokness within and without?

When we hear the phrasethe big reveal,our minds often turn to moments when a company unveils a major new venture. Think for a momentwhen a big reveal happens, who do you imagine delivering it? Naturally, we might picture the CEO or CFO announcing the next groundbreaking plan. In Ephesians 3:113, Paul tells us that God Himself revealed a mysterious plan. Perhaps you might ask: What makes a good messenger? Is it the man with the money? Is it the person with the power? Is it the CEO or the CFO? If you were to imagine the courts of heavenGod seated on the throne, ready to unveil His planwho might He choose to carry that message to the world? As you read this passage, consider: Who did God reveal the plan too? Who is given the task of spreading the details about the plan? What is the plan? Whats the purpose?

In these days of division by race, class, creed, gender, and politics, etc., the message of Christ is so desperately neededin whom there is neither slave nor free, Jew nor Gentile, male nor female; all are one. We all stand on a level playing field before God. Ephesians 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. I encourage you to read Ephesians 2:1122 and ponder the power of the cross to bring peace and reconciliation in a world full of division and strife.

This weekend, ourRootedReturnseries continues as we openEphesians 2:110.I encourage you to read this passage in a few different translations and take note of what stands out. Notice how the passage begins withdeath, self-serving ways, and Gods anger. See thedramatic changewhenJesus enters life and glory! Reflect on what it means to beGods masterpiece created to make a real difference in this world. Who are thedeadand who are thealive?How do we move fromdeath to life?What does it mean to beGods masterpiece?Whatgood worksare we called to do?

Pastor John brings a powerful message from the Book of Esther For Such a Time as This.Esther was chosen by God for a specific purpose in a specific moment. The very fact that you are alive today, that you have breath in your lungs, and that you are placed in your neighborhood and context, means that God has positioned youfor such a time as this. Join us as Pastor John shares a convicting, challenging, and encouraging word from the story of Esther.

If you had one sentence to describe who God is, what would you say? If you had one sentence to describe who you are in Christ, what would you say? This Sunday, we begin our new sermon series onEphesianstitledRooted Return. As we return from summer into fall, from outdoor services to indoor gatherings, were reminded that life is full of returns. We often need to return from the narratives the world tells usor even the lies we tell ourselvesback to the truth of who we are in Jesus. InEphesians 1:114, Paul gives us a powerful reminder of that truth. In the original language, verses 314 form a single, amazing sentenceoverflowing with promises about who God is and what he's done for us. This week, we will gather to explore that one sentence together. In preparation, take time to read it in several translations. Pray over it. Ask:What do these promises mean? Who is God? Who am I in Christ?

Dr. Justin Bradbury