One word that plays prominently in Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians is the word “grace.” In every chapter, and almost every paragraph, Paul alludes to grace in a myriad of ways. When I was growing up in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, the teachers would remind us that the word “grace” is defined with the acronym of the word: God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense. Another definition is that grace is receiving that which you do not deserve. What we do not deserve is that a holy God would consider and look upon us who have who have failed him and rebelled against him and willingly said, “God, I want no part of you”—and provide His Son? The One offended provides the means to reconcile?

Yet, as we continue on, we see that grace extends further than God’s saving work. Grace is laced all through the passage this morning. Christ gives grace for all aspects of the Christian and Christian life. How important is that for us to understand! I think too many of us believed grace was just for coming to Christ, then we turn around and believe it is all a life we do in our own power. Christ gives grace at the beginning, Christ gives grace in our life, and Christ gives grace until the end.

Why is this so important? Because if you only believe that this “amazing grace” of which we sing exists just to get you into heaven and keep you from the hot place (hell), you will not see Christ as one who day-to-day, hour-to-hour, minute-to-minute fills us, fuels us, and feeds us. Toward what end? To the end of equipping for growth and unity and knowledge and sharing of the things of Christ.

Missions-minded churches know Acts 1:8 cold–or do we? In this Ramp-Up, we need reminding of the most important part of the last verse we have before Jesus ascended back to the Father. Let’s talk about that.

To listen to the podcast, click here: https://anchor.fm/bemakexsend/episodes/S2–E7-Forgetting-this-Part-of-Acts-18-is-Why-the-Church-Struggles-ev58vl

Good morning, everyone! This morning, I’ll be preaching from Ephesians 3:1-13 on “A Mystery We Cannot Solve.” For our Ramp-Up, I focus on Ephesians 3:10 about the role of the church. and how this should change our perspective of what church is all about. Let’s talk about that.

He is risen (indeed)! On the heels of a report about decreased membership in churches, synagogues, and mosques, Phil Zuckerman pens an op-ed about how this is actually a good thing if America wants to move forward progressively. Let’s talk about that.

Listen to the podcast here: