His Masterpiece 2

As we completed our series through Ephesians several things have come to light ...

Exegetical series have incredible weight and value for Redemption City Church to become the church that we believe Gods wants us to be. These series keep us honest and keep us preaching the full / whole council of God (Acts 20:20 and 27).

Exegetical series are hard work! They are hard work to study and prepare for, they are hard work to deliver and, sometimes they are hard work to listen to BUT, if we desire to see discipleship, growth in the word and, a robust faith we are going to have to develop the spiritual fortitude necessary for this  vital form of preaching!

Ephesians has given us a great sense of the central role of the church in working out God’s redemptive plan for our city!

Ephesians is the antidote for radical individualism that is so rampant in our day. This attitude can simply be described as “The gospel of self” and is a key reason so many are giving up on local church community and settling for self-directed spirituality.

Ephesians reaffirms, again and again, the central role and value of the church as being God’s “intent”, purpose and plan for our spiritual growth and maturity. 
The answer to all our cultural challenges is still ... THE GOSPEL! Jesus is STILL God’s total provision for man's total need for all time (Dudley Daniel). There is still no app, no life hack, no shortcut, no instant solution, simply because none of these options require faith. Jesus has a path laid out for us that includes individual choices / responsibilities and, community of faith choices / responsibilities that we are to pursue Christlikeness within. And, that within all of this God chooses to partner with us, through his community of faith to fulfill his mission to reach the world with the good news of Jesus Christ.

What an incredible book.
What an incredible gift Jesus is to us.
What a joy to be part of an authentic, biblical, local church.
What a great future we have as we look to establish more and more of His plan and pattern for us as a church.