For many, the church has a diminished role in our society. They pass a church building on the corner and wonder what relevance it has. That is not God's perspective. Paul has spoken of the mystery of a new body created in Jesus Christ - Jew and Gentile together. That mystery might remain theoretical if not for the church. The Church is the pillar of truth, the declaration of God's Word, an extension of Jesus' grace and the embodiment of God's loving community. Through the Church, the world glimpses the wisdom of God in this great mystery.

Empowered Living Vol 2: Too many Christians live uncertain of who they are in Christ, or what Christ has made available to them. They feel impoverished despite Christ's riches. They feel powerless despite Jesus' strength. They feel alone and without purpose despite being chosen by God. We are, at times, blind to the resources granted us as God's children. In this series, Dr. John continues his teaching from Ephesians. Paul elaborates on the spiritual blessings promised us and we find that truly, we are enriched beyond expectation.

We are accustomed to think of mystery as something to be solved. If we have enough clues and good deduction, we can figure it out. But Paul uses the word "mystery” in a different sense. This mystery cannot be discovered, it must be revealed. Listen as Dr. John discusses a great mystery, revealed to Paul and stewarded by his missional efforts. God is building a people for Himself, Jew and Gentiles together. We are part of God's great mystery.

Empowered Living Vol 2: Too many Christians live uncertain of who they are in Christ, or what Christ has made available to them. They feel impoverished despite Christ's riches. They feel powerless despite Jesus' strength. They feel alone and without purpose despite being chosen by God. We are, at times, blind to the resources granted us as God's children. In this series, Dr. John continues his teaching from Ephesians. Paul elaborates on the spiritual blessings promised us and we find that truly, we are enriched beyond expectation.

We all have experienced the awkwardness of standing alone at a social gathering, sitting by yourself at the school lunch table or looking around a room unable to name anyone there. We feel alone without significant connections. Paul teaches that in Christ, we are never strangers. We are citizens in God's nation, embraced by His family and become a temple of collective worship. The grace of God does more than forgive. It shapes us as God's Household.

Empowered Living Vol 2: Too many Christians live uncertain of who they are in Christ, or what Christ has made available to them. They feel impoverished despite Christ's riches. They feel powerless despite Jesus' strength. They feel alone and without purpose despite being chosen by God. We are, at times, blind to the resources granted us as God's children. In this series, Dr. John continues his teaching from Ephesians. Paul elaborates on the spiritual blessings promised us and we find that truly, we are enriched beyond expectation.

It seems self-evident that our society is polarized. We are divided by our politics, hold opposing moral standards, struggle with race relations and regard those with different positions as the enemy. Harmony and peace are reduced to mere words. But God has made something new. Jesus not only draws us close to God, but to one another. The Body of Christ is the beginning of a new humanity. Peace is possible in Jesus Christ.

Empowered Living Vol 2: Too many Christians live uncertain of who they are in Christ, or what Christ has made available to them. They feel impoverished despite Christ's riches. They feel powerless despite Jesus' strength. They feel alone and without purpose despite being chosen by God. We are, at times, blind to the resources granted us as God's children. In this series, Dr. John continues his teaching from Ephesians. Paul elaborates on the spiritual blessings promised us and we find that truly, we are enriched beyond expectation.

Grace can be a prayer before a meal. It can describe the beauty of a ballet move or be clemency for a loan. It can be the tile of royalty or the name of someone you love. We have so many ways to speak of grace because grace has so many expressions. Yet nothing exceeds or exhausts the grace found in our Lord. Today Dr. John speaks of the free favour of the Father released through faith in the Son, resulting in a righteous life forever. This is God's doing. This is the expression of grace.

Empowered Living Vol 1: Too many Christians live uncertain of who they are in Christ, or what Christ has made available to them. They feel impoverished despite Christ's riches. They feel powerless despite Jesus' strength. They feel alone and without purpose despite being chosen by God. We are, at times, blind to the resources granted us as God's children. In this series of messages, Dr. John opens the book of Ephesians to reveal the powerful abundance that is ours - now! It's time to take inventory of His grace towards us.

In Ephesians 2, Paul delivers the sobering truth – news as bad as it gets. Every one of us is born dead - not just weakened, impoverished or disadvantaged, but dead. But then Paul reveals the good news, the best news imaginable. Listen as Dr. John directs us to the only hope we have for eternal life. God, who is rich in mercy and love, makes us alive through Jesus Christ. Revel in the joy and hope He gives.

Empowered Living Vol 1: Too many Christians live uncertain of who they are in Christ, or what Christ has made available to them. They feel impoverished despite Christ's riches. They feel powerless despite Jesus' strength. They feel alone and without purpose despite being chosen by God. We are, at times, blind to the resources granted us as God's children. In this series of messages, Dr. John opens the book of Ephesians to reveal the powerful abundance that is ours - now! It's time to take inventory of His grace towards us.

What's humanity's problem? It seems self-evident that a problem exists between us (war, greed, violence, apathy). It is also evident that there is a problem between humanity and God (atheism, rebellion). Either way, many believe the problem can be fixed with effort and education. They are wrong. God makes it clear what our problem is. We are dead. No amount of instruction, training, motivation or resources will improve the dead. God, who gives life, is our only hope.

Empowered Living Vol 1: Too many Christians live uncertain of who they are in Christ, or what Christ has made available to them. They feel impoverished despite Christ's riches. They feel powerless despite Jesus' strength. They feel alone and without purpose despite being chosen by God. We are, at times, blind to the resources granted us as God's children. In this series of messages, Dr. John opens the book of Ephesians to reveal the powerful abundance that is ours - now! It's time to take inventory of His grace towards us.

Power has various measurements. Physical strength, economic resources, technological leadership, intellectual skill - but our materialistic world often ignores the greater expression of power - spiritual. Paul prays that Christians will recognize the power God has extended to believers through Jesus Christ. Nothing and no one can surpass the power of God for us.

Empowered Living Vol 1: Too many Christians live uncertain of who they are in Christ, or what Christ has made available to them. They feel impoverished despite Christ's riches. They feel powerless despite Jesus' strength. They feel alone and without purpose despite being chosen by God. We are, at times, blind to the resources granted us as God's children. In this series of messages, Dr. John opens the book of Ephesians to reveal the powerful abundance that is ours - now! It's time to take inventory of His grace towards us.