Letter to the Ephesians: Let Us be One

     One. Three letters, but a powerful word when used to express our relationship with one another. 

     However, also a word that is greatly misunderstood and misapplied. 

      In the Letter to the Ephesians, there is this beautiful section in chapter four that speaks of being one - one faith, one hope, one Lord. But the author isn't saying that in order to be one we need to be the same - like dough cut with a cookie cutter. Instead, it is an invitation to use our differences to bless the one church. In other words, being one is about unity, not uniformity. 

      Yet, this is still something that we struggle with all of these years later. We want everyone to be just like us - without thinking about what would be lost in the body if this was the case. 

      What do you think it means for the body of Christ to be one today?

Letter to the Ephesians: Let Us Be One - Eph 4: 1-16

 July 25th, 2021

Devotional

“Letter to the Ephesians: Let Us Be One”

    Eph 4: 1-16

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Life that is Worthy” - Eph 4: 1-3

To mature. Webster’s Dictionary defines maturing as the process of growing or developing. Full development of the body and mind. To become complete and perfect. Now there is a word that we don’t like very often do we - perfection. 

We’ve created an image of Christian perfection in our heads that few would even want to obtain –nonsensical, prudish, unimaginative, and perhaps even gruff. Someone who doesn’t smile or laugh or have fun. As a United Methodist, one of the tenants of our tradition is that we are moving on towards perfection, but if these characteristics mark perfection it is most certainly not who I want to be, nor is it who I wish to lead people to discover as their pastor.  

When I think about Jesus Christ, the one that we are invited to mature in the example of and through the power of, I don’t apply any of the words we fear around perfection - nonsensical, prudish, unimaginative. No Christ invites us into a much more Wesleyan understanding of perfection in this passage - becoming more deeply in love with God and your neighbor every single day. 

  What do you think it means to live a life that is worthy?

Prayer: Jesus, sometimes we don’t know what it looks like to live a life that is worthy of the calling, because we have not taken time to listen and respond to your calling. Open up our ears and hearts so we can respond to your calling. Amen. 

Tuesday: “One” - Eph 4: 4-6

  For the author of Ephesians, this deeper love expresses itself as unity. This is another word that seems to bother us from time to time, mostly because it is mis-understood. The author is calling for unity of the Church, or a coming together around Christ as the center of our faith. But unity is not uniformity. We all have different gifts and talents. We have lived out our faith in different ways. God is not looking for cookie cutter Christians. No. God wants us to use our uniqueness to bless the Lord every single day. However, we need to keep coming together around our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Unity is emphasized through peace. How many times have we seen Christians behaving badly - arguing over things that do not have eternal value? Rev. Lori Steffensen shared at the at a  Charge Conference about having churches that fought over who brought what covered dish to church events and the color of carpet. I wish I could say that this was abnormal, but I’ve seen some of the same fights in my time as a pastor as well. Do those things have eternal significance? No. Then let them go for the sake of unity through peace. Let them go for the sake of proclaiming the message of the Kingdom of God. 

What unifies us in the body of Christ?

Prayer: Lord, we confess that at times we are hesitant to talk about our faith because we aren’t sure what we believe. We aren’t sure what are the most important things to share with others. So help us, O Lord, to find what is important and to uplift those things - those tenants of the faith that speak to who you are and how you love us. Thank you, O Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen. 

Wednesday: “ Given Grace” - Eph 4: 7-10

This passage is talking about what it looks like to be the church and why it matters. One of the things I do my first year in a church is work my way through the directory visiting folks, so we can get to know one another in the body of Christ. But it can get quite awkward if the directory hasn’t been updated in a while and contains folks who have left the church. Then I hear heartbreaking stories of why folks have left the church, and often it is because they were not treated with gentleness, patience, and love. The author of Ephesians is reminding us that we need to do better - we need to be unified - because our ability to fruitfully share about the Kingdom of God is at stake. 

  As the Church, we have the most important and beautiful message to share that has ever been told - the story of Jesus Christ. The story of hope and faith. The story of God pursing us and making a way for us to be reconciled to a holy God, even when we were yet sinners. The story of the cross and the grace that is to be found there. But all too often all this other stuff gets in the way of us being able to share that message. And as a result we become a church that is better known for our fundraisers or our fights than sharing the love of Jesus Christ. 

What is the message of the Church according to this passage and how we are to proclaim it?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of grace. We know that we could never earn our way in heaven. We can never do enough or be good enough in order to earn grace. We are humbled by the love and grace shown to us on the cross. Thank you, Precious Lord! Amen. 

Thursday: “Gifts” - Eph 4: 11-13

Part of maturing in Christ is building up the body of Christ. This is not building up the select members of the body that we like. It’s encouraging everyone in the body to use their gifts and talents to live into the call God has for them and the call that God has for this local church. It's helping to carry one another’s burdens during tough times and celebrating during joyous times. We are to build up one another is all that we do. The local church is God’s greatest hope in the world for spreading the message of Jesus, but when we are dysfunctional we aren’t as effective in doing that.

  Think about your own body - growth depends on all of the parts of the body working properly together. When one part is out of wack, even from something as simple as a cold, the whole body suffers. So it is with the body of Christ, we all need to be working together and not against each other in order to be the most effective at reaching folks for Jesus Christ.

How is the Church like a body?

How are you sharing your gifts with the body?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding us that we need one another. Thank you that your Spirit gives us everything we need, when we come together, in order to serve Christ and make your name known. Use us, we pray. Amen. 

Friday: “Must Grow Up” - Eph 4: 14-16

Another part of maturing is making sure that Jesus is in the right place in your life - right at the center. Have you ever noticed that when Jesus isn’t the center of your attention and focus that you can often become side tracked by other things? That you are more prone to slip into the sins that can rip apart a church, like pride and gossip? When we don’t have Christ as our center, we often think that the Church is about us - meeting our needs instead of reaching out to those who don’t yet know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. But when Christ is in that right place in our lives, all of our focus comes around serving God and glorifying the name of Jesus.

What do you think mature faith looks like?

Prayer: Lord, help us to mature in our faith. We know that at times it seems easier to act like children, focusing on our own wants and desires instead of focusing on you. Free us from our childish ways and lead us to be more like you. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Letter to the Ephesians” - Eph 6: 10-20

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

 Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Eph 4: 1-16

From the Sermon:

“Without a __________ of what the church is called to be, the church becomes what the people want it to be.” - Kenneth Crader. 

We need to remember what it means to be the Church - remember the _________________________ God has for us, so we do not become just another organization.

Two questions we need to ask:

1.

2.

Paul tells the followers in Ephesus that they are to live a _______________________________.

You are here, because Christ gives us every gifting we need in each local body to _________.

Reflection:

How would you describe the Church? 

What is the mission of the Church? And how do we fulfill that mission in our local church?

Why are you part of this local body of Christ?

Prayer:

Lord, let us be one. One in faith and one in hope. Under the Lordship of you alone, dear Jesus. Lead us to reflect on what it truly means to be one in love of you. Amen. 

Letter to the Ephesians: Christ Has Broken Down the Walls - Eph 2: 11-22

      This portion of the letter to the Ephesians stands as a challenge to any one of us who has tried to divide the church into who is "in" and who is "out". Who "belongs" and who doesn't. Who is the "real Christian" and who isn't.

      Because in chapter 2 of this powerful letter, the author writes that you are no longer known by your nationality or who you once were. You know are a son or daughter of Christ, our King. Which means, if someone believes, then they are your brother or sister in the family of God. Because that is who Christ says that they are.

      I wish I could say that there is no sin present in the body of Christ, but we all know that this isn't true on this side of eternity. And one of the ways that we sin as the Church today is by creating division. Estranging people because of our human understanding instead of seeking the unity of Christ. A unity that brings peace where there was once no peace. 

      The truth is we cling to our walls far too much. Both to the walls of our buildings and the walls in our hearts, when Christ is inviting us to be a reconciled community.

      How is Christ calling you to be reconciled in the body of Christ today?

     

Letter to the Ephesians: Christ has Broken Down the Wall Devo - Eph 2:11-22

 July 18th, 2021

Devotional

“Letter to the Ephesians: Christ Has Broken Down the Wall” - Eph 2: 11-22

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Formerly” - Eph 2: 11-13

“Alive in Christ!” From 2012-2016 our annual conference proclaimed this theme. We are alive in Christ - on a journey of faith, raising up transformational leaders, equipping congregations to be vital, and creating new places for new people. 

To be alive is pretty vital - its to exist, to have life, to be full of the Spirit, to be active. Yet far too many congregations today have forgotten this teaching from Ephesians, that we are alive together for Christ, not as we formerly were, but as new creations in Christ. 

The truth is sometimes, if we are not careful, we can slip into the former way of being and doing. The way that focuses on existing just long enough that our needs be fulfilled and have given up on thinking about a future in ministry. A future of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. 

The writer of Ephesians is reaching out to a group of people who have been taught a lot of different things over the years about Jesus and God - some of which were not scriptural and lead them down the wrong path. He is trying to teach them the basics of faith, which starts with Christ redefining who we are in light of the cross and the empty tomb. 

How would you describe yourself in Christ? How is this different than the description you would use before you knew him?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, in so many ways we can identify with the Ephesians in today’s scripture. For we formerly were far from you, but now we have been transformed by your grace and love. Let us share that life-changing hope with others, we pray. Amen.

Tuesday: “Destroyed the Barrier” - Eph 2: 14-15

The church exists to boast the message of Jesus Christ! And one of the ways that we do that is by telling the powerful story of how Jesus changed our lives. I’ve shared before that I grew up in the church - I don’t remember a point in my life when I have been without him, and haven’t deeply believed in him, but that doesn’t mean that he still hasn’t changed and is changing my life! Praise be to God! It doesn’t matter if you have a moment in time when you can point to when you have been changed or if you grew up with Christ and have been on a continually journey, we all have signs that we have been made new in Christ that need to be shared!

But the other way that we share this truth is by living into it. Becoming people of peace. Sometimes in worship we will say “Peace be with you.” This is not simply a nice greeting, it is inviting us to live and love as people of peace - who set aside the hostility of that which divides us.

The truth is we were all dead before accepting Christ in our lives. Dead in sin. Dead in our trespasses. Dead because we lived according to the worlds standards, marked by barriers that Christ has come to destroy. We have followed the ways of this world, grasping after power and privilege, not thinking about others, and living by the flesh, which is marked by greed, pride, and an obsessive need to put ourselves first. 

What divisions do you have in your life that Christ has come to destroy?

Prayer: Lord, we confess that sometimes we prefer the ways of the world. We like to harbor grudges and separate ourselves from those who have harmed us. Lord, show us what it means that you have destroyed those barriers, uniting us, we pray. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Reconciled” - Eph 2: 16-18

I love how pastor Adam Hamilton describes the gift of life and grace offered by God. Pastor Hamilton tells the story of how he was putting away his Christmas tree one year and a gift fell out that had become lodged in one of the branches. What were they going to do with this gift? They unwrapped it of course! They didn’t throw it away saying that Christmas was over so they didn’t need the gift anymore. They didn’t put it away until next Christmas to wait to open it. They opened it right then and there, because gifts are meant to be opened and shared. 

Far too many people though never unwrap and open the gift that God it trying to offer them in Jesus Christ. They say that the timing isn’t right so they will wait until things change for them - until they have time to appreciate it, but never really knowing if that time will come. Or the toss the gift to the side, saying it isn’t right for them. The gift of Christ is meant to be opened and shared right here and now!

But that gift of grace also changes who we are from the inside out. It changes what we are about and how we go about our days. Grace makes us into people who are reconciled to God through the cross and reconciled to other people as Christ’s disciples in this world. Work that we can only engage in through the Holy Spirit. 

Who is Christ inviting you to be reconciled to this day because of his grace?

Prayer: Lord, we like the idea of being reconciled to God because of your gift of grace. We like that we are now in right relationship with God because of the salvation you have offered. But we are not as eager about being reconciled to other people through the power of your grace. Let us continue, through your Spirit, to be a reconciling people, united by your love. Amen. 

Thursday: “Foundation” - Eph 2: 19-20

God’s love should change us in such a way that we are willing do just about anything to reach new people and help them unwrap the gift of salvation in their own lives. My brother are identical twins, which means they share a birthday. There are several videos of when they are little - too small to open their own birthday gifts - that I gladly helped them tear through the paper and boxes. I wanted them to see and love whatever gifts they were getting. I knew they weren’t my toys to play with - it was their birthday - but I wanted to share in their joy and excitement of their special day.

One of the ways we can help folks unwrap the gift of salvation in their lives is to share our story. Share the truth of how Christ is the foundation of our life. We need to share the story of how God saved us from sin and saved us by grace because it is so integral to who we are!

But in order to be able to share your elevator story, you first must be able to know how Christ changed your life. Have you ever stopped and considered this? And I don’t mean just change your life in the future in terms of eternity, but changed your life in a concrete way here and now. I fear that too many folks have not even considered this, so when they do have the opportunity to share they have no idea where to start or what to say.

How is Christ the foundation of your life?

Prayer: Lord, you want to be the foundation of our lives, the foundation of our faith, and the foundation of your body - the Church. Let us share how you have changed us in ways that are important to who we are at our core, because of the joy we possess in you. Amen. 

Friday: “Built Together” - Eph 2: 21-22

We need to be able to share how we believe the power of sin is real, but God’s power is so much greater. But if we don’t believe that’s true in our own life, we will never be able to share that truth with others. How has God changed you and how can you share that story with others?

God has changed us all in some way. Set us free from something or someone that has controlled us. Changed our belief that we need to be able to do everything on our own, instead of claiming the power of God. Changed what we live for. Changed us from thinking that we can be saved by our good works or by being a good person. How has Christ changed your life and how can you share this change with others? And how can what we share build together a new world through the Church, under the Lordship of Christ?

What is Christ building in and through you?

Prayer: Lord, your sanctifying grace is continually building something in and through us as we grow closer to you. Let your good work continue in us, we pray. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic - Ephesians 4:1-16.

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

 Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Eph 2: 11-22

From the Sermon:

Christ has broken down the ______.

Paul is writing to a Gentile church that is being told that ____________________________ by some folks because they are not Jewish.

Paul needs to direct this part of the letter in particular to the Gentile believers because for so long they have been called “___________________.”

Jesus is the only one who can take two groups who are ________________________ and bring peace.

Some of the walls in our lives are

1.

2.3

3.

Jesus took those walls, and instead invites us to come to an understanding that he is the ___________________________________________.

Reflection Questions:

How can we step aside from our behaviors that bring harm and be people who point to the abundant life of Christ?

What is the difference between a wall and a foundation?

Prayer:

Lord, we confess that we have built many walls in our lives, that are not reflective of your love or the truth of the Gospel. Forgive us. Help us to be people who break down the false walls in our lives in order to stand upon your foundation, we pray. Amen. 

The Letter to the Ephesians: Saved by Grace - Eph 1: 1-14

       I don't know about you, but there are times that I certainly do not feel faithful. Yet, in the letter to the Ephesians, we find these words, "To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful[a] in Christ Jesus."

     But the wording also reminds us that we are not faithful on our own. We are faithful in Christ. To be faithful is to be one who holds steadfast. It's a fruit of the spirit. But it's also something that we can never do on our own - it is by Christ's goodness and grace towards us. 

    And that is so true of much of this first chapter of Ephesians. It is based in the love of Christ.  Not our love alone. And it is the love of Christ that claims us. It is the love of Christ that lies the path of grace that comes before us, surrounds us, and sustains us. 

     What does faithfulness mean in your life? And how do you feel the love of Christ leading your life?

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

 Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Eph 1: 1-14

From the Sermon:

An apostle is one who is ________.

The one who is sending Paul is _______.

_________ be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This isn’t a letter coming to you because of anything you have done - it is being sent to you by the _____________________.

We like to act as if our ________ defines us, but it is the love of God that truly defines every single life on this earth - even if they don’t realize it yet. 

Reflection:

What do you think of when you hear that you are chosen?

What does it mean to you to be a follower of Jesus Christ?

Are you going to be one who follows Christ and shares his light and truth so that others may come to know as well?

How do you explain to people the love of Jesus and that Jesus loves you?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, your love is so great that it is sometimes hard for us to understand. Do not give up on us. Let your love claim us and tell us that we are yours. And then allow us to share that love with all that you send us to as well. Amen. 

Psalm 1

       Psalm 1 is my absolute favorite Psalms. In the last several years, I asked a colleague to design a stole that represented the heart of this scripture and she came back with this beautiful fabric picture of a tree that bears delicious fruit because its roots were connected to the water bed. 

      So it is in our own lives. We can only bear fruit for the Kingdom of God if we are connected to the source of life - the river of life - and drink deeply. But that it's easier said than done sometimes. Because we have to be willing to put in the time. 

      What does it look like for you to drink deeply from the water of God? And what fruit would you be unable to bear apart from God?

Psalm 1 Devo

 Spiritual Practices - Meditation

Adapted from: Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us, (Downers Grove: IVP Books, 2005).

Week of July 4th, 2021

Sometimes we need a reminder of how we grow closer to God. A different way to think about continually being shaped and molded by our Lord. For the next five weeks, we will be inviting you to think of the ways different practices impact your relationship with God. Some may come naturally to you or are things you already do, perhaps take time to thoughtfully consider what they mean to you. Some practices may be new, give them a try and see if they are a fit for this season of your life. Let us bring our hearts and lives before the Lord!

Scripture for the week: Psalm 1

How does Scripture help connect us with God?

What invitation is there in slowing down when you read God’s Word?

Do you give your undivided attention to the Word of God? Why or why not?

Spiritual Practice: Meditation

Take time in God’s Word this week.

When you come to a passage of scripture, mull it over, chew on it and think about its application.

Pay attention to what God is teaching you through his Word.

Think about how Jesus knew, loved, and taught the Scriptures. 

Take time to slow down when reading Scripture. 

Additional Scriptures to Meditate On:

Psalm 63:6

Joshua 1:8

Psalm 77:12

Psalm 19:14

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

 Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Psalm 1

From the Sermon:

We need to _______________ our inner life. 

Once we neglect our souls, what happens? They start to _____________________.

We are made for ______________ with God.

There are many different things we could choose to meditate on in order to fall more deeply in love with God, but the Psalmist speaks on meditating on God’s law, the ___________________.

In order to find life giving nourishment in the word through meditation, we can’t just ___________ _______________ superficially.

Meditation is an act of ___________.

Reflection Questions:

Do you feel more like chaff blowing in the wind, or a tree with deep roots? Why?

What are you willing to put into your relationship with God in order to cultivate your soul and bear the fruit of the righteous?

How do you allow yourself to be instructed by God’s Word?

Where are you getting your spiritual nourishment from?

What does it look like for you to dwell with God?

Prayer:

Lord, we are amazed that you are so loving towards us that you invite us to dwell with you. To drink deeply from the source of living water. Nourish our souls, we humbly pray. Amen.