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A Journey through the Letter to the Ephesians: Introduction

Pastor Vic starts a new series with this introduction to Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus.

In the coming weeks we will see that the first 3 chapters are Paul's doctrine on grace; about our position in Christ; we are saved by grace through faith; not by our works.

The remainder of this letter is about how we should be behaving and living out our lives in the light of our understanding of the Grace of God.

As born again believers, our understanding of God's grace is the foundational understanding of God's Word; the letter to the Ephesians is written to all born again believers!

For the first few minutes of this recording, Pastor Vic gives an update of what is happening with the support that MGF is able to give to Pastor Sundar in India.

Out with the old; in with the new!

This week, Nunsy Cameron reminds us that, as born again believers, we no longer live under the Old Covenant. Jesus became our mediator and High Priest; the old has passed away; the new has come!

In this message we hear how, and why, Jesus became the mediator for the whole world!

What is Christianity?

The title of this week's message is a question that Pastor Vic has been meditating on this past week.

If you 'google' this question, the statement that usually appears first is,

"the religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus Christ, or its beliefs and practices."

From John chapter 2, Pastor Vic uses the example of the 'Marriage at Cana' to show that Jesus came to destroy 'religion' and do away with the works of religious performance.

Jesus has taken away the need for the temple, the high priest and the sacrificial lamb!

We have relationship with God through Jesus!

Do you truly understand grace?

Pastor Vic continues to use his recent India trip experience to challenge the listener.

In Acts 2 v42 we are called to continue, 'stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine'. What does this entail?

Pastor Vic challenges us about what we do with what the Lord has provided us with; everything we have comes from the Lord; we do not 'own' anything.

We are called to share and to give cheerfully; we share out of the abundance of the Lord!

Listen and be challenged but not condemned!

What are your life priorities?

In this first message after returning from his trip to India, Pastor Vic uses the experiences of this trip to challenge you to consider what you have made a priority in your life.

Are you storing up treasures here on earth? Are you self centered or are you selfless? Who or what comes first in your life?

Using 1 Timothy 6 : 6 - 19, Pastor Vic asks us which verses we are in line with.

Prior to the message, Pastor Vic and his wife briefly share some experiences of their time in India.

 

God needs your co-operation!

Using the examples of Mary and Zacharias, Pastor Vic highlights the truth of Proverbs 18 v 21:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Mary and Zacharias both asked questions of the Lord but one question declared belief and the other unbelief.

Our words can be positive or negative; and by our words we can either be in God's will or we can hinder God's will.

Listen to find out how we can co-operate with God and be in His will for our lives.

A birth like no other!

When Jesus came as a man, Emmanuel, God with us, He had to come sinless. Therefore there had to be a virgin birth without the seed of a man.

Jesus had to be born with a divine nature, and not a sin nature, in order for Jesus, as a man, to do what God wanted Him to do!

Listen as Pastor Vic explains that the truth of this virgin birth is a foundational truth that underpins the finished work of the cross!

Biblical Service

This week, Pastor Vic continues with the theme of relationship to consider how as born again believers we should be serving our 'neighbour'.

The example of Jesus washing the disciples' feet shows us that nothing is too lowly for us to do.

Jesus, the Lord of lords and the King of kings, chose to serve the disciples and therefore showed how much He loved them.

Under grace, our acts of service, and our mindset about serving, come about as a direct measure of how much we understand how much God loves us.

We need to understand how much God loves us before we can love God; before we can fully love our 'neighbour'; before we can serve.

Listen and be challenged but not condemned.

 

Biblical Submission.

Pastor Vic continues with the theme of relationships with a message that shows us that how much we submit is a measure of how much we love other people and God.

Submission to God is through love, grace and mercy.

When, in terms of maturity, you submit to other people it is through love, respect and honour.

When your 'neighbour' is trying to help you, you truly love them by submitting to them and not rejecting them through pride.

How submissive are you?

 

 

Biblical Relationships.

This week, Pastor Vic starts to look at another 'R'; ie: Relationships.

He challenges us, and himself, with James 1 v 19, which says,

'Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: '

This verse challenges us about how we live out our relationships with all other people, no matter who they are; family, friends, aquaintances and even strangers who we only have the briefest contact with.

It is also a challenge to our relationship with God.

Listen to find out more.