As we open up to Ephesians 4 today, we are turning a massive corner! You might have noticed that for the first three chapters, Paul hasn't given much of a 'to-do' list. Why the wait? Because before he tells anyone what to do, he had to show what God has already done.
Paul had been pulling back the curtain on a cosmic mystery for his original readers: God's grand, breathtaking vision to take the divided, alienated people and bring them together into one brand new humanity in Jesus (Ephesians 2:15). Paul had to root the Ephesian Christians deeply in that grace first, making sure they knew exactly who they were, having been called and established as God's people in Christ Jesus.
But right here in Chapter 4, Paul flips the switch. He moves from the theological promises they needed to believe to the practical reality of how they needed to live - a pivot that reaches right across the centuries to us today. Since they (and now we!) have been given this beautiful new identity in Christ, how should our daily lives actually look? Get ready, because over these next few sermons, the same word that challenged the Ephesians is going to challenge us to step up and truly "live a life worthy of the calling you have received." (Ephesians 4:1)
Don't forget to pick up your Ephesians Bible Studies from the foyer - or you can download them here - a very special thanks to Greg Burke for putting the studies together.
Please also keep praying for our church finances - and considering or reconsidering how you could help partner with us in Gospel ministry and to bring our church back to financial sustainability. The financial update document (in all languages) is available. I and the wardens have been visiting congregations and if we haven't visited yours yet, we will soon!
