“The Ascension: Past, Present, and Future” (Ephesians 1:15-23) Today we’re having church on a Thursday. That’s because we’re celebrating the Ascension of Our Lord, a major festival in the church year that always falls on a Thursday. And that’s because … Continue reading
“The Real Jesus Is All You Really Need” (John 1:1-18; Ephesians 1:3-14) In Sunday morning Bible class, we’re doing a study based on the book, “Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? 12 False Christs.” And in these midweek Lenten … Continue reading
“It’s a Gift!” (Ephesians 2:1-10) You are a Christian. You are saved. You believe in Christ. You are heading for heaven. And in your Christian life, you do good works. Now the question arises: How did all this come about? … Continue reading
“Epiphany: Mystery Made Known” (Ephesians 3:1-12) I love a good mystery. Whether it’s Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot, it’s fun to track with the detective as he discovers the clues and uses his “little grey cells” and eventually comes to … Continue reading
“Born a Priest, Made a Pastor” (Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16) Circuit Pastors’ Conference, November 10, 2015 Today is Martin Luther’s birthday. He’s 532 today, although I’d say he doesn’t look a day over 490. Yes, it was on this day, November … Continue reading
“Marriage, God’s Way” (Ephesians 5:22-33) News story from this summer: Jared Fogle, former spokesman for Subway sandwiches, pleads guilty to criminal sexual charges, and now his wife is filing for divorce. News story from this summer: Josh Duggar, one of … Continue reading
“Wisdom for Your Walk” (Proverbs 9:1-10; Ephesians 5:6-21; John 6:51-69) If I had to sum up a theme running through our lessons for today, and one that will be helpful for you, it is that here you will find “Wisdom … Continue reading
“Receiving God’s Gifts: Grumbling or Grateful?” (Exodus 16:2-15; John 6:22-35; Ephesians 4:1-16) There is a theme that runs through all three of our lessons today. Did you spot it? It is the theme of God’s gifts. In the reading from … Continue reading
“God’s Building Project” (Ephesians 2:11-22) “Built on the Rock the Church shall stand.” “Christ is our cornerstone.” “The Church’s one foundation.” These hymns that we’re singing this morning–they’re all drawing on the imagery of our text today, the Epistle reading … Continue reading
“Blessings in Christ: Past, Present, and Future” (Ephesians 1:3-14) Today is the beginning of eight straight weeks in which the Epistle reading is a portion of St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. And at the same time, as soon as … Continue reading
“The Past, Present, and Future of the Ascension” (Luke 24:44-53; Ephesians 1:15-23; Acts 1:1-11) “He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he will come to judge the living and the … Continue reading
“By Grace You Have Been Saved” (Ephesians 2:1-10) Our Epistle reading for today is one of the outstanding passages in all of Scripture for putting together in one package several important realities. And they are: man’s natural condition; God’s great … Continue reading
“All Things under His Feet” (Ephesians 1:15-23) Today is the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord, always forty days after Easter, thus always on a Thursday. On Ascension Day we celebrate what Christ’s ascending into heaven means for us … Continue reading
In the name of Jesus, Amen. Beloved in the Lord: it’s good to be here with you. Praise be to the Lord of the Harvest for sending laborers into His field, and for bringing us together! Well, this is my first … Continue reading
“Singing and Making Melody to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:18b-20) For our sermon text today I’m using a portion of one of next week’s readings, actually. But since I won’t be here next week, and the reading has what I want … Continue reading
“Rooted and Grounded in Love” (Ephesians 3:14-21) On this day when we have the confirmation of our two adult catechumens, I want to take this opportunity to remind all of us of how we have been “Rooted and Grounded in … Continue reading
“God’s Good Order of–and in–Marriage” (Ephesians 5:22-33) You know, it’s really kind of stupid when we think we know better than our Creator. I mean, think about it: Doesn’t it make sense that the God who created us would know … Continue reading
“Unity and Growth, through Unified Doctrine and Practice” (Ephesians 4:1-16) Today in our series on Ephesians we move into the second half of the epistle. In the first half of this letter, St. Paul has laid down the foundation of … Continue reading