Living a New Life! - Ephesians 4:26-32
It is my firm opinion that the process of metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly is one of the most incredible natural wonders on planet earth. Yes, conception and birth would be higher, but let's be honest -- metamorphosis is so amazing that the scientific community are still baffled by how it happens!
The end of Ephesians 4 describes nothing short of metamorphosis. Becoming a Christian is not just adopting new behaviors, or becoming morally aware. That would be like a caterpillar trying to fly. Even if you know it's good, it's not going to happen. There is a necessary "transition" and all the accompanying new butterfly behaviors!
The "version of me" that was born in 1969 was born a selfish sinner and life revolved around emptiness and desires - physical, mental, and emotional - that I had to satisfy.
When I (we) trusted God, I was born again and recreated. Now life revolves around being satisfied and full, having basic needs met! Here is the kicker. For years I used behaviors like lying, stealing, emotional skills, and verbal skills, to get what I needed.
BUT, NOW WHAT? I don't need to do that anymore, so what behaviors replace lying and cheating, and stealing, and revenge? What is God's response when I do fall back into those old behaviors? That will be the topic of tonight's discussion. Super practical stuff!
View and see....
Steve
Ephesians 4:26-32
February 17, 2021 • Pastor Steve Feden
Ephesians 1:1-6
November 18, 2020 • Pastor Steve Feden
Ephesians has only six chapters and is not written to address a specific issue or problem among the Ephesians believers. Rather, Paul knows that in order for them to have future ability to live as children of God in the middle of Ephesian culture, they will have to gain a deeper and deeper experience of God's love! This is what he is addressing. We will dive right in and watch as the great, methodical, theological mind of the Apostle Paul is overcome with impassioned gratitude over the deep ways God has touched his -- and our -- lives! WARNING: Anyone who actually reads and believes the things we will talk about is likely to experience greater depth of transformed relationship with God and the people in your life! View and see! Steve
Ephesians 1:7-14
December 2, 2020 • Pastor Steve Feden
What does "relationship with God" really look like? I mean, we talk about the fact that Christianity is a "relationship" and not "religion", but what is the real difference? Doesn't Christianity often feel like religion? Obey the commands, do this, don't do that, and so on. I am fully convinced that Ephesians is a "relationship guide". The first chapter is filled with the foundational blocks of relationship with God as HE designed it to be. If we can comprehend Ephesians 1, it will forever impact our understanding of what relationships are supposed to be, and what the basic building blocks of healthy relationships are! Last week we saw the Father's plan. This week we will how the Son (Jesus) participates and how the Spirit participates! View and see! Steve
Ephesians 1:15-23
December 9, 2020 • Pastor Steve Feden
A few years ago, Helga and I enjoyed a long bike ride with friends. We started in Munich Germany and ended in Venice, Italy. It was an epic journey for which we spent time studying maps to prepare. I don't think I need to tell you that the experience of the ride itself was the hope and the joy and the thrill. The map was useful, but could never be a substitute for the ride itself. To this point, in Ephesians 1, Paul has given us a map of healthy relationship with God. Being chosen, adopted, accepted, redeemed, forgiven, and secure have been points on that map. Great stuff, right? Yes, but it is still a map! What do I mean? Starting in verse 15, we read Paul's prayer for the believers in Ephesus. The prayer is filled with Paul's desire for these precious Jesus' followers. The gist of his prayer? I would love to tell you, but you will need to tune in. I promise it will be worth it. Just like the map is no substitute for the experience of the ride, so the study of doctrine and intellectual knowledge of God are not the end in themselves. This remarkable passage of scripture is sure to stretch your imagination (hint hint). View and see! Steve