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Community as a Reflection of Humanity // Revelation 5:9-10

The church as a community is designed to be a reflection of God’s most treasured creation and possession – humanity. From every tribe, language, people, and nation, the church glorifies God when it reflects the diversity of humanity. It’s the promise of the eternal Kingdom and the present reality we seek to create in Christ Jesus as adopted children of God who belong in His community – the church.

Additional resources mentioned in today’s podcast:
Ephesiology Podcast: Episode 20, The Movement and Ethnic Diversity
Ephesiology Podcast: Episode 21, The Movement and Ethnic Diversity (Part 2)
White Awake by Daniel Hill

Community as a Reflection of Humanity // Revelation 5:9-10 // October 1, 2019

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Community as Family // Mark 3:31-35

Community, like family, shapes our sense of belonging and identity. The story of God’s restorative work is through community that behaves as a tight-knit family: as the true family of God. So how do we learn to be an earthly family that inspires and shapes one another to find our belonging and identity in God’s eternal family? That’s the focus of this week’s podcast and part of our series, “Defining Community: Restoring Life with God and Others”.

Community as Family // Mark 3:31-35 // September 24, 2019
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Why Community? // Ephesians 1:9-10

This week on the podcast we’re answering the question: Why do I need a church community? And, is it possible to have a personal experience and relationship with God apart from others? As we’ll discover, community is rooted deep in God’s nature and is the means by which we experience the fullness of Him in our life. This is part of the series on “Defining Community: Restoring Life with God and Others”.

Why Community? // Ephesians 1:9-10 // September 17, 2019

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The Search for Community // Matthew 16:13-19

This week we’re starting a new series, “Defining Community: Restoring Life with God and Others”. We’re beginning by looking at what community is, how it’s practiced in our modern secular culture, and how the Bible offers an alternate story and vision for community life, bonded together in Jesus Christ.

The Search for Community // Matthew 16:13-19 // September 10, 2019

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One Mission // Ephesians 6:10-24

Every person is the prized object and target of a spiritual war that we did not invite nor ask to be part of. The war is for the total worship and allegiance of every heart, mind and soul. As eternal Kingdom citizens (the restored body of Christ), our hearts, minds and souls have been rescued, purchased, and saved by Jesus Christ from sin, despair and death in the ways of the evil. But as Kingdom citizens, we’re reminded the war is not over. Instead we’re called to put on the armor of God, because armor is meant for active duty, not vacation.

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Based on this week’s passage and teaching, what tactics do you believe the devil uses to infiltrate the Kingdom of God?
  2. What prevents you from putting on the armor of God as a believer in Christ?
  3. What does ‘active duty’ as Kingdom citizens (the restored body of Christ) look like?
One Mission // Ephesians 6:10-24 // June 3, 2019
[VIDEO]  One Mission // Ephesians 6:10-24
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One Family // Ephesians 5:21-6:9

The gospel brings dignity, worth, and purpose to everyone, starting with our closest relationships: our family and church community. To imitate God and walk in the example of Christ is to mutually serve and sacrifice for one another out of love.

For a more in-depth discussion on the issues surrounding Ephesians 5:21-33, listen to our podcast episode on Authority, Headship, and Gender Roles.

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Read Ephesians 5:21-6:9 through the lens of “mutual submission” that seeks to love and dignify others as valued children of God. What stands out to you in the passage?
  2. By understanding this passage as a means of living out the gospel in your family, church, and as a witness of God’s grace to the world, what are the implications for you personally that you need to change in order to follow the ways of Jesus?
  3. What can we learn by Paul’s approach to applying the gospel to his cultural context? How can we do the same? Provide a real-life example.
One Family // Ephesians 5:21-6:9 // May 27, 2019
[VIDEO]  One Family // Ephesians 5:21-6:9
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One Example // Ephesians 4:17-5:20

Imagine if the church saw its primary job to model, pass on, and point to Jesus Christ “in everything” it does. What might the church look like, do, and reproduce?

Our ultimate loyalties, core beliefs, and fundamental values are shaped by those who we respect, follow, and imitate in this life. So if the very heart of our “oneness” in God, the hope of our restored humanity, and the promise of new life and salvation is contingent on following Jesus, shouldn’t we as believers reflect our One example? The call of the Christian is this: When we follow the ways of Jesus, we reproduce Jesus.

Questions for Reflection:

  1. Prayerfully evaluate your life based on Ephesians 4:17-5:20. What is needed to ensure that you are modeling your life after Jesus?
  2. How should a vision of modeling, passing on, and reproducing the ways of Jesus transform Christian community and the church?
One Example // Ephesians 4:17-5:20 // May 20, 2019
[VIDEO]  One Example // Ephesians 4:17-5:20
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One Body // Ephesians 4:1-16

The church today continues to struggle with the concept and practice of true unity and oneness in Christ. Contextual distinctions aside, with our churches divided socially, racially, and theologically, how will the world know the true witness of Christ – the union of all things in Him for the glory of His name and the salvation of His people? As we learn in this message, the measure of our spiritual unity determines the true health and maturity of the church.

Questions for Reflection:

  1. If you were to make a list of what determined a “healthy & mature” church, what would have been on that list?
  2. How does “spiritual unity” change your understanding and role of the church?
  3. Based on the list in Ephesians 4:11, what do you think your spiritual gift contribution might be in the body of Christ?
One Body // Ephesians 4:1-16 // May 13, 2019
[VIDEO]  One Body // Ephesians 4:1-16
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One Spirit // Ephesians 3:14-22

So who is the Holy Spirit and what’s His role in the unification of the church? This week we learn that just as Jesus Christ is the ‘head’ of the body (the church), the Spirit is the supernatural force that holds it all together. In other words, the Holy Spirit is the very power to our Oneness.

Questions for Reflection:

  1. What crowds out or invades your relationship with the Holy Spirit? What might you need to change in order to prioritize that relationship?
  2. How do you see yourself as a member of the church contributing to the greater unity of the body of Christ and fulfilling the will of God?
One Spirit // Ephesians 3:14-22 // May 6, 2019
[VIDEO]  One Spirit // Ephesians 3:14-22
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One New Humanity // Ephesians 2:11-3:13

God’s plan is to unite and restore everyone, everywhere back to Himself, and it’s His intention to use the church to display that plan. But will we join Him?

Questions for Reflection:

  1. Where has the church failed to demonstrate this vision of a restored and unified humanity in Christ?
  2. How can the church move forward in living out its calling and purpose?
  3. What do you believe your role should be in participating in God’s plan to unite and restore everyone, everywhere back to Him?
One New Humanity // Ephesians 2:11-3:13 // April 22, 2019
[VIDEO]  One New Humanity // Ephesians 2:11-3:13