The people in Ephesus were involved in all kinds of pagan and occult religious activity - when they came to faith in Jesus, they publicly parted ways with all of that and burned items related to their former life. Each of us has behaviors and attitudes in our life that need to be burned as well, especially through making it known in words and deeds that we are repentant for our former ways and desire to live a new life.
Stories of Engagement
Paul in Ephesus
November 8, 2015 • Peter Mueller
More from
Stories of Engagement
Stories of Engagement
November 1, 2015 • Kristofer Kunkel
Many of the first Jewish Christians thought that non-Jewish Gentile Christians should have to also obey the Jewish ceremonial laws, but this would take away from the gift of the good news of Jesus’ all sufficient work on the cross. Many people today see Christianity as religion - a list of things to do and not to do, but our privilege is to explain and help them understand that the Christian faith is based on grace and is all about a relationship with a loving God instead.
Stories of Engagement
October 25, 2015 • Peter Mueller
Paul often found himself among religious and secular people alike in conversation about Jesus and the message of the good news of the kingdom of God. Over and again he reasons, debates, proves and persuades people of the truth and value of the Gospel. God calls us to train ourselves with the knowledge to be able to do the same.
Stories of Engagement
October 18, 2015 • Peter Mueller
One of Jesus’ greatest relational strengths was His ability to see what was important to people and then build bridges between that and the good news of His kingdom. We need to become people who develop similar skills at discerning what disinterested people care about and helping them see that Jesus offers something even better.