It was back in August. I was in Medford with the Bear Creek Church elders for my weekly studies to become a pastor. We were sitting in Grilla Bites Café discussing the future of Coram Deo Church, and my new responsibilities as part of the staff. When I asked what I should be focusing on, Pastor Dale put a pen to a paper napkin and printed, “build the church.”That’s my goal in teaching from Paul’s Epistle To The Ephesians. I've chosen to highlight three major themes of emphasis to help us understand God's will for His church in the first century and today.
The Church Called Out (Redeemed & Adopted)
The saints have been chosen before the foundation of the world and predestined for adoption through Christ into God's kingdom (Eph 1:4-5). Our effectual calling delivers us from spiritual death and God's wrath, from the futility of the course of this world, and from the power of Satan (Eph 2:1-5). We are saved by grace alone (Eph 2:8-9) in order to glorify God through good works, which are the fruit of faith (Eph 2:10).
The Church Called Together (United & Equipped)
In Christ, the saints are reconciled to God and are joined together as the holy temple and dwelling place of God's Spirit (Eph 2:22). Christ has given leaders to the church to equip the saints for the work of ministry and attain unity (Eph 4:12-13).
The Church Called To Serve (Sanctified, Strengthened & Prepared for Active Duty)
The saints are called to walk in newness of life (Eph 4:24), building one another up (Eph 4:29), making the best use of our time (Eph 5:16), and rejoicing with one another in submission and reverence (Eph 5:19-21). We are to honor and serve God in obedience through husbands loving their wives, wives respecting their husbands, children obeying their parents, and fathers training their children in godliness (Eph 5:22-6:4). We are to engage in spiritual warfare by putting on the full armor of God, by standing firm in our faith, and by praying at all times (Eph 6:13-18).
I pray that as we explore Paul’s glorious letter to the saints in Ephesus, we will sense the hand of God knitting us together and building us up as the Body of Christ, His Church. We are indeed His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works (Eph 2:10).
May we grow strong in love and deeds.
