Loved Before You Were Made: Ephesians
Putting on the New Self
November 19, 2023 • Colton Underwood • Ephesians 4:25–32
When we allow our anger to simmer in our hearts for more than just a moment, it begins to seep into our very souls. We drink the poison and the bitterness it creates is sin. The Lord wants us to know that if we do this, even if the anger seems justified in the moment, we give an opportunity to the devil. We need to trust the judge of the earth to do rightly. Pray the Psalms and give your frustration to the Lord. #newself #sermon #worship #ephesians4 #firstpresbyterianbr #fyp
Renew!
November 12, 2023 • Gerrit Dawson • Ephesians 4:17–24
In your thoughts. Be renewed. Refresh your thoughts by recalling who Jesus is and who you are in Jesus. Gather in honest, joyful community with other believers. Remind each other of the story. Lift up your hearts and voices. Renew your commitment. Renew your mind according to the truth, for the truth is in Jesus. #renewyourmind #injesus #commitment #sermon #worship #ephesians4 #firstpresbyterianbr
Serve the Work!
November 5, 2023 • Gerrit Dawson • Ephesians 4:7, Ephesians 4:11–16
The church gathered re-adjusts us to the reality of God week by week. When we learn of our share in the work of ministry, we begin to view not just church life but all of life through this lens. Everything that matters requires that we serve the work that makes the vision come to be. This can be keeping house, raising a family, living a profession, landscaping, accounting, teaching, leading, cleaning. When serving the work of Christ through his church gets in our blood, we realize that we can do our whole lives for his sake. It’s all ministry. And therefore, it’s all the adventure of journeying with Jesus in the company of these saints he’s given you.
One!
October 29, 2023 • Gerrit Dawson • Ephesians 4:1–6
The church is the model to the world of how people from all different backgrounds, ethnicities, and even political ideas can share the one cup of salvation, and break bread together as members of the one body of Jesus. It’s why on the Sunday we celebrate the Scottish roots of our faith, we rejoice that there are Presbyterians all over the world, including millions in South Korea, millions in Africa, even a million in Mexico. That’s why we all affirm our faith joyfully together. #onefaith #humility #gentleness #spiritofunity #unity #firstpresbyterianbr #sermon #ephesians4
X Marks the Spot
October 22, 2023 • Scott Graham • Ephesians 3:1–13
Paul repeatedly uses the word “mystery” to describe what we have received in Christ’s riches. These are riches that weren’t made clear to previous generations, but are revealed now – that Jews and Gentiles are not just junior and senior partners to each other, they are ‘fellow heirs’, completely equal and organically united in the Body of Christ. Our names, and the names of people from many tribes and nations are engraved into the crucified and risen hands of Christ, nations and groups that have historically been at odds with one another may be reconciled and forgiven at the cross. X – the cross - marks the spot of this treasure. #ephesians3 #unitedinchrist #firstpresbyterianbr #sermon #worship #xmarksthespot #fathersonholyspirit
One New Man
October 15, 2023 • Gerrit Dawson • Ephesians 2:13–22
Natural enemies don’t just start getting along unless something even deeper than human relations has changed in them. We’re talking about the healing of the fundamental breach between humanity and God. This reconciliation occurred in the person of of http://jesus.ofGod and humanity met in one person. God coming over to man’s side. Jesus lived out the faithfulness to his Father he had eternally as the Son of God. But now he lived it out as truly human. From our side, Jesus God’s Son healed the breach by his obedient life.
Beautiful Work
October 8, 2023 • Gerrit Dawson • Ephesians 2:8–10
There’s no escaping toil. We all have stuff we gotta do. For many, just getting upright, dressed and out of the house is big work. The routine of requirements can feel burdensome. But then we realize that nearly everything we do can be a beautiful work for God. Anything that is good, wholesome, or life affirming, from bathing to writing software, from pulling weeds to driving carpool to running a company can adorn his glory. Instead of thinking, “Dang, I have to . . .” think, “Praise God, I get to . . .”
Interrupting Death
October 1, 2023 • Gerrit Dawson • Ephesians 2:1–7
We were dead. God made us alive with Christ. Why? Because the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are, by nature, rich with mercy. Overflowing with kindness. As a guy said this week, God’s currency is mercy. He acted in grace towards us. Because of an irreducible quality of his very existence as the Triune God. The great love with which he loved us. There’s nothing greater than that. Nothing behind that. He loves us because he loves us. He showed mercy because he is merciful. Life is hard. The world and the devil want to eat us alive. We make horrible choices and get ensnared. But God loves us because he loves us.
The Right Thing to Pray
September 24, 2023 • Ephesians 1:15–23
Paul holds up the Ephesian Christians before God. He remembers their faith and their love. He gives thanks. He asks God to be at work in their lives. He prays for the eyes of their hearts to be open to all they have in Christ. He intercedes with Jesus to give these young believers awareness of the power at work in them. For once they see, they will exult in the Lord Jesus who reigns over heaven and earth. We can pray that way too!
The Guarantee
September 17, 2023 • Gerrit Dawson • Ephesians 1:11–14
Paul says that when you heard and believed, you “were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Let the Spirit do his work. He convicts us. He tugs at us. He urges us to believe the gospel and surrender our lives to Jesus anew. It is a simple release that costs everything to which we cling, which always turns out to have been nothing that matters. You have been called to be a jewel that adorns the glory of Christ who died and rose to save you. You have an inheritance waiting. Will you claim it? Claim it by letting Christ claim you? #holyspirit #sermon #worship #firstpresbyterianbr #convicted #hope #gloryofgod #inheritance
Loved Before the World Was Made
August 20, 2023 • Gerrit Dawson • Ephesians 1:3–6
Whenever someone asks if I believe in predestination or freewill, my answer is always “Yes!” One supports the other. And if this seems hard to understand, my counsel is very simple. This is a word that can be spoken to every person in the entire world. The message of the gospel: Believe in Jesus and discover your chosenness. And if you do believe in Jesus, rejoice that the Father has shown you that he simply will not be without you. You belong, for you are accepted in the Beloved, the Chosen, even Jesus our Savior, brother and Lord. #sermon #beforetheworldwasmade #worship #predestination #freewill #fyp #firstpresbyterianbr #christian #believeinjesus #jesuschrist #chosen #selected
Two at the Same Time
August 13, 2023 • Gerrit Dawson • Ephesians 1:1–3
The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has already blessed you in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. He has already called you to himself in grace. He has already sent you to love and witness in his name. You already live from your heavenly home in Christ even though you’re stationed here on Earth. #apostle #ephesus #called #graceandpeace #sent #binitarianism #sermon #worship #firstpresbyterianbr #creator #Godismystrength #sermon #worship #sermonshort #christian #fyp