Anthem Church

Paul describes diverse gifts in the church. These come from the ascended Christ. The diversity of gifts serves to bring about the unity of Christ's people. Mature manhood extends the body metaphor used earlier for the church and contrasts with "children". Some people think that the learning of doctrine is inherently divisive, but it is people who divide the church, whereas the knowledge of the Son of God (both knowing Christ personally and understanding all that he did and taught) is edifying and brings about "mature manhood" when set forth in love. The work of the gifted was to proclaim and teach the word centered on Christ rather than on speculative or eccentric teachings of their own measure. Christ Jesus is the standard of the maturity to which the church must aspire.

This week we start Chapter 4 in our Ephesians series. Paul encourages the church to unity based on the truths of the one God and his one work of salvation. We all know unity to be a tricky thing in the church. What is the basis for unity? What holds it together? Are we to create it somehow?

This weekend we recap the first two chapters of Ephesians and dive into Paul's prayer for the church in chapter 3. Paul's prayer for Ephesus is that they would take all the things that God has done for us and live it! We are spiritual millionaires who walk through life like paupers and blame God because we are starving.

This weekend we start chapter 3 of Ephesians. Paul is about to pray for the church and the new unity he has just covered at the end of the previous chapter, when something stops him. Something compels him to continue his discourse on the church. What stopped him? Why did he stop?

Paul continues the theme of the new creation which we introduced at the end of last week (workmanship). Up to now, God had been the main subject of the action, but now a shift in focus to Jesus and his redemption occurs. There is unity and peace in Christ that all may lay hold of. We are no longer separated as Jew and Gentile or circumcised and uncircumcised. All in Christ are victorious.

A few weeks ago we learned why the doctrine of predestination is beautiful and biblical. This weekend we will explore the never-ending argument of "Free Will vs. Predeterminism". More importantly, we will discuss how God has poured his grace on the Saints with His saving initiative. That we have hope with Jesus and disparity without Him.

This weekend we fast forward to chapter 6 of Ephesians as we celebrate Father's Day. What we discover is a context for fatherhood that might surprise you. Just what do the Scriptures tell us make a good dad? What exactly is the godly picture of fatherhood? As we find out the answers to these questions, be prepared and open to rethinking the role of Dad.

In light of last week, Paul now desires that we might enjoy a full experience of our position in Christ. We now know we a new identity as a result of what the Father planned, the Son purchased and the Spirit preserves-we are "saints". Whereas last week Paul gave us insight into what God did in Triune community, this week Paul prays we have a deeper insight into who God is. The response is "thanks." Thanks for His promise, His power and His position. These are the specific themes of this beautiful prayer that we will be unpacking in Ephesians.

Do you believe that God has a plan? Do you believe that plan started in eternity's past? But how often to we stop to look at the true essence of God and his plan that has been unfolding since eternity's past? Do we stop to reflect on the spiritual blessings that we have inherited and offer Him praise?

Acts 19 covers Paul's experience in the city of Ephesus. We will explore the context of the man (Paul) and the city (Ephesus). This is very important in painting the landscape before diving into the book of Ephesians itself.