As we open our study of Paul's letter to the Ephesian church, we reflect on how God has blessed us with "every spiritual blessing in Jesus". We've been chosen by God and were adopted into his family when he lavished his grace on us.
CHILDREN OF LIGHT //
We were once darkness, but now we have become the light of the world. Because of Jesus, and ONLY by what he has done, we share in the very nature of Christ as we live to bring light to a dark + hurting world.
"More Blessed"
June 23, 2024 • Brad Parkhurst • Ephesians 1:7–14
As children of light, we've received an abundance of blessings from a good Father. We've been redeemed by Jesus' blood, completely forgiven, given the riches of God's grace and know the mystery of His will. Not only that, but we've have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and guaranteed an inheritance in the age to come!
CHILDREN OF LIGHT //
We were once darkness, but now we have become the light of the world. Because of Jesus, and ONLY by what he has done, we share in the very nature of Christ as we live to bring light to a dark + hurting world.
"Heart Eyes"
June 30, 2024 • Brad Parkhurst • Ephesians 1:15–20
In this opening section of his letter, Paul shares what he prays for his Ephesians brothers & sisters: that the eyes of their heart would be open, and that they would receive the Holy Spirit of wisdom & revelation so that they might know God better. When we join in that prayer and ask God for the same things, he loves to answer!
CHILDREN OF LIGHT //
We were once darkness, but now we have become the light of the world. Because of Jesus, and ONLY by what he has done, we share in the very nature of Christ as we live to bring light to a dark + hurting world.
"God's Power In Jesus"
July 7, 2024 • Brad Parkhurst • Ephesians 1:19–23
Paul prays that his friends would have their heart eyes open to know the power of God for them in Jesus. When we recognize that Jesus is seated over everything else in the universe, and the power that raised him from the dead has been extended to us in love, we can't help but make Jesus head over our lives.
CHILDREN OF LIGHT //
We were once darkness, but now we have become the light of the world. Because of Jesus, and ONLY by what he has done, we share in the very nature of Christ as we live to bring light to a dark + hurting world.
"Who We Are"
July 14, 2024 • Brad Parkhurst • Ephesians 2:1–10
In one of the most iconic passages of scripture, Paul speaks of how we were once dead in our sin, separated from God with no hope whatsoever. BUT GOD, because of how much he loved us, made us alive through Jesus, saving us through his grace and remaking us for a future with him!
CHILDREN OF LIGHT //
We were once darkness, but now we have become the light of the world. Because of Jesus, and ONLY by what he has done, we share in the very nature of Christ as we live to bring light to a dark + hurting world.
"Jesus Our Peace"
July 21, 2024 • Brad Parkhurst • Ephesians 2:11–22
Even worse than the present division of political parties in America was the divide between Jews and Gentiles in the ancient world. When Jesus died on the cross and opened the way to peace with God, he also brought peace to these groups of people and made them one body by one Spirit. We also are members of this body and live as temples of God as he offers peace to the world through us.
CHILDREN OF LIGHT //
We were once darkness, but now we have become the light of the world. Because of Jesus, and ONLY by what he has done, we share in the very nature of Christ as we live to bring light to a dark + hurting world.
"The Mystery"
July 28, 2024 • Brad Parkhurst • Ephesians 3:1–12
No person or creature in the universe ever saw this coming. Through Jesus, God has opened the way for Gentiles (Non-Jews) to be brought into his family!! This mystery, hidden since the beginning of time, has now been revealed to all the angelic beings through his church.
CHILDREN OF LIGHT //
We were once darkness, but now we have become the light of the world. Because of Jesus, and ONLY by what he has done, we share in the very nature of Christ as we live to bring light to a dark + hurting world.
"Immeasurably More"
August 4, 2024 • Brad Parkhurst • Ephesians 3:14–21
When the Holy Spirit empowers us, Jesus indwells us, and God's love masters us, we have the honor of being filled with all the fullness of God! He desires to do things that are immeasurably beyond what we could ever imagine or ask him to do.
CHILDREN OF LIGHT //
We were once darkness, but now we have become the light of the world. Because of Jesus, and ONLY by what he has done, we share in the very nature of Christ as we live to bring light to a dark + hurting world.
"Walk Worthy"
August 11, 2024 • Brad Parkhurst • Ephesians 4:1–6
In Jesus' church, there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, & one God. This is why we put aside our differences, submit to one another, and fight for unity.
CHILDREN OF LIGHT //
We were once darkness, but now we have become the light of the world. Because of Jesus, and ONLY by what he has done, we share in the very nature of Christ as we live to bring light to a dark + hurting world.
"Solid Faith"
August 18, 2024 • Brad Parkhurst • Ephesians 4:7–16
When the body of Christ is functioning as it should, with each person doing their part and building each other up, we all grow into maturity as we take on the fullness of Christ's nature. Weak, blown-about infancy is replaced with solid, steady faith.
CHILDREN OF LIGHT //
We were once darkness, but now we have become the light of the world. Because of Jesus, and ONLY by what he has done, we share in the very nature of Christ as we live to bring light to a dark + hurting world.
"The New Self"
August 25, 2024 • Brad Parkhurst • Ephesians 4:17–24
Just as Lazarus had to have the grave clothes stripped off of him after being raised from the dead, we too have to take off the old self and put on the new self as the Holy Spirit renews our minds.
CHILDREN OF LIGHT //
We were once darkness, but now we have become the light of the world. Because of Jesus, and ONLY by what he has done, we share in the very nature of Christ as we live to bring light to a dark + hurting world.
"How We Walk"
September 1, 2024 • Brad Parkhurst • Ephesians 4:25–32
As we take off the old self and put on the new, the Holy Spirit leads us to walk with one another in love. We put off all the evil ways of the world, and we use our lives to build others up.
CHILDREN OF LIGHT //
We were once darkness, but now we have become the light of the world. Because of Jesus, and ONLY by what he has done, we share in the very nature of Christ as we live to bring light to a dark + hurting world.
"Walk Like It"
September 8, 2024 • Brad Parkhurst • Ephesians 5:1–14
Many so-called Christians are living their lives asleep and they don't even know it. Jesus longs to make us a bride that imitates God, pursues purity, and lights up the darkness around them.
CHILDREN OF LIGHT //
We were once darkness, but now we have become the light of the world. Because of Jesus, and ONLY by what he has done, we share in the very nature of Christ as we live to bring light to a dark + hurting world.
"Walk Wise"
September 15, 2024 • Brad Parkhurst • Ephesians 5:15–21
These are dark days, and the children of light are desperately needed in the world. If we are to understand God's will and capture opportunities to play a role in it, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit, submitting to him and encouraging one another as we do.
CHILDREN OF LIGHT //
We were once darkness, but now we have become the light of the world. Because of Jesus, and ONLY by what he has done, we share in the very nature of Christ as we live to bring light to a dark + hurting world.
"Husbands & Wives"
September 29, 2024 • Brad Parkhurst • Ephesians 5:21–33
The way a husband and wife love and submit to one another is designed intentionally by God to be a clear representation of the way Jesus loves the church. Through marriage, two people get the opportunity to display the most beautiful and powerful love in the universe!
CHILDREN OF LIGHT //
We were once darkness, but now we have become the light of the world. Because of Jesus, and ONLY by what he has done, we share in the very nature of Christ as we live to bring light to a dark + hurting world.
