Ephesians 4:15–16

Ephesians 4:15-16 

English Standard Version 

  We live in very individualistic times.  It's all about the self, to the point where some people would encourage you to jettison any idea of community that doesn't just affirm you all the time.  

  Here in Ephesians, Paul is reminding us that we grow together.  Christ is the head, and we're all connected, one to another in a big community.  

  So we have a responsibility -- how do we hold each other together, while keeping Christ at the center?  How do we think about ourselves as part of an entire body, rather than on our own?

Ephesians 4:11-14

Ephesians 4:11-14 

English Standard Version 

  What's the purpose of leadership in the church?  It's to equip each and every one of the saints of the church for the work of ministry.  Ministry isn't relegated to the professionals, and it doesn't just happen in the church.  We're all called to join together for the purpose of declaring the Gospel to the world, announcing that we don't have to deal with the instability and chaos the world loves.  We can anchor ourselves into something deeper, something true, something lasting and eternal, none of which the world can offer.  

  May we take our calling seriously, studying the Word and praying through our days, relying on the Holy Spirit to keep our feet steady and our hearts focused on Christ and on Christ alone.

Ephesians 4:7-10

Ephesians 4:7-10 

English Standard Version 

  When you see flowers blooming, do you stop?  I always do the first time... but it's easy to take them for granted after that.  We get accustomed to them and they fade into the background.  We don't stop to stare and wonder at the their intricate beauty.  We're too busy for that.... we have places to be.

  Do you ever stop to appreciate that Christ came?  We talk about it a lot, as we should.  But stop for a moment and consider it.  He descended and ascended, all for the purpose of delivering grace to the world.  He did it to fill all things.  Don't brush by this... Christ loves you and wants to fill your life with grace, and so Christ descended from on high, and then ascended once more to show the power and depth of his love.  Wonder at this fact.  Sink into it.  It's amazing!

Prayer for Today:  God, help me be lost in wonder, love and praise at the miracle of your incarnation, a pure gift of love.

Ephesians 4:4-6

Ephesians 4:4-6 

English Standard Version 

  The world doesn't agree on much.  Our family cannot agree on whether mustard or ketchup is the superior condiment.  Other families are torn apart by the debate around the designated hitter.  Still others cannot decide if chili is a soup or not.  

  Think of all the various things that divide the world, from physical boundaries to political debates.  8 billion people and 12 billion opinions.

  So how powerful it is to have something that cuts across borders, across ideologies, across differences of opinion.  We have one common hope in Christ.  We have one faith, one baptism, one God.  The Christian church is a big tent, and Christ is over all and through all and in all.  In him, we are united.  In him, we have hope.  In him, we gather and are sent.

Prayer for Today: Lord, thank you for the one hope we have.  Give me your vision to see ways to find common ground with those around me.