Greetings Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

Recently I begun a short series from Paul's letter to the Ephesians. I have focused on Ch.4 1-32. There are some amazing lessons/principles for us to learn and live by in these few verses of scripture.

I. In (Vv.1-16). (please go and read) Paul calls the Church a "body of Christ" and this "body" must function as members of one another.
God has gifted each believer to do the work of ministry and we can all use our gifts and abilities in the local communities of faith (no matter your age) to build up the body of Christ. Did you realize that you were a Body Builder? Which naturally leads to the next question, "what kind of shape are you/we in?"

II. (Vv.17-32). Since we are members of one another and ONE in Christ we are to be holy as Christ is holy ('Walk worthy' v.1) becoming what He created and desires for us to be. This 'walk' is a particular walk that is in step with the ways of Christ and not of this world. Paul reminds the Church that once we are saved we receive a new identity. Our new identities in Christ take discipline to perfect, so we naturally desire to imitate Christ and this takes effort. I use to tell my students in youth ministry that it may be better to think about discipleship as training and not practice which carries a negative connotation.

The good news is that Christ has provided all of the resources we need: the Holy Spirit, and one another

May we as ONE Body continue to walk worthy of our calling

Pastor Brian