Forgiven much, loves much - Ephesians 1:7
We try to fix our mistakes, but what do we do with our sin? We try to sweep it under the rug, ignore it, justify it...but our sin remains. It takes Jesus to redeem us so we can be forgiven and free. The question is, will we forgive ourselves?
Why Doesn't the New Life in Me Change My Circumstances?
In The Book of Malachi, The Hebrews wondered if God loved them based on what they saw going on around them? They were looking for life on the outside. Sometimes new Covenant believers get stuck doing the same thing—even though what we have in Christ is far better than what those under the Old Covenant experienced. A deeper look at how Christ's Life in us will help us rest in the fact that the life we are looking for is found on the inside—not outside.
The God Who Sees - Ephesians 1:3-6
What would it mean to you if someone took a deep interest in you. If you were fully known, inside and out, and loved even more as a result. That is what the Apostle Paul is describing in what has been called the treasure chest of the New Testament. Join Ross as he explores Ephesians 1:3-6 and discover what happens when God sees you.
What if You Knew?
"Exploring a life of shame, a really crappy week, and a moment of pure grace" — Josh Gordon
This week, many difficult and painful memories bubbled to the surface of my mind. It was as though Father invited me to walk with Him from one difficult moment in my history into another, then anotherr… He showed me that the damage I’d suffered cut down into my beliefs about ME.
True to His nature as a good, good Father, God stepped into each of those moments. He reminded me again of the beautiful truths of this journey, this LIFE, I’m walking with God.
Saints with Everything - Ephesians 1:1-3
Continuing our series in the book of Ephesians, Ross looks at Ephesians 1:1-3.
Changing Our Thinking About Sin
Sin. What is it? What do we do when we've sinned? And, just as important, what is God's response when we sin? It's an uncomfortable topic for many of us...but does it need to be? What if God's response to when we mess up isn't what we think it is? If we respond to sin how God wants us to, could it lead us to truly experience Life?
Grace and Peace - Ephesians 1:1-2
In the opening verses in the letter to the Ephesians, Paul reminds his readers the importance and necessity of grace and peace. In this first message in a new series on the book of Ephesians, Ross explores the nature of grace and peace and why we need to experience both in each moment of each day.
Vertical Acceptance
Rejection is something we all have faced. It’s almost as though God is not afriad of us experiencing rejection. In this talk, we learn how rejection only affirms the truth that the unconditional acceptance we are looking for is only found in Jesus.
Abiding with Jesus
Jesus teaches us that unless we abide in Him, we are unable to accomplish anything. Then what does it mean to abide and more importantly, how do we do it? Abiding is not some form of mystical enlightenment that we must achieve. Nor is it trying to live like Jesus by copying His behaviour. In John 15:4-5, Jesus makes it plain to us as He uses a very simple illustration to explain what it means to abide in Him.
Perfect Love Casts out Fear… Wait, Really?
Those who struggle with fear will recognize this progression: a seed thought drops into your mind, and a paint by numbers image expands in your imagination. Your brain fills in the picture with colour and grit and before you know it, you’re frozen in place. Fear leaps from the periphery into the forefront; your chest tightens and your pulse begins to race.
In the face of such crippling emotion, can it be true that “Perfect Love casts out fear”, as 1 John 4:18 declares?