WINTER 2024 - TOGETHER IN CHRIST JESUS

We will begin the year with an introduction to the Book of Ephesians. We will explore the overall message of this incredible masterpiece from the Apostle Paul. Along the way, I will lay out the core teachings of the roles and functions of apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers --- and how these all function together to bring people into deep relationships in Christ Jesus.

January 7, 2024:  Together in Christ!

 Ephesians 1:1-3

We begin the year with a message that introduces the overall theme for the year: Together. The focus of this particular message will center on the meaning of Paul’s use of “in Christ” --- a phrase/concept that he uses some 164 times in his 13 New Testament epistles and 36 times in Ephesians. The heart of what it means theologically for God’s people to be “together” is connected to the Christological idea of our “union with Christ.” In this message, I will cast a vision for the entire year – and give context to the concept of what it means for believers to be together in Christ.

 Together in Word: Ephesians 1:3-14

Our text for this week is this incredible masterpiece of a sentence from the Apostle Paul. That’s right – this is one sentence in the original Greek of the New Testament! It is the second longest sentence in the Greek New Testament. As you read this text and reflect on it this week, spend some time praying through these deep truths:

·  You have been blessed by God and called to live a holy and blameless life.

·  You have been adopted by God the Father and embraced into the Family of God.

·  You have been forgiven by God’s grace.

·  You have been chosen by God to reflect His glory in His world.

·  You have been sealed by His Spirit until the final day of redemption.

Together in Deed:

As you reflect on this passage to begin the year, take some time this week to write a note of response to God as you have learned from this text about all He has done for you. Use this week to dedicate this new year to the Lord. How will God use your relationship with Him to deepen your sense of what it means to be together with fellow believers.

 Suggestion: Take time this week to intentionally connect on a spiritual level with one or more of your fellow church members. Share your plans for spiritual growth and how you may contribute to the deepening of our fellowship this year.

January 14, 2024:  One Body . . . Together!

 Ephesians 4:1-6

Jesus revealed in Matthew 16 that He would establish His Church on earth. After His ascension, the Church is now the Body of Christ on earth. As fellow believers, we are joined together in this body through the local expression of the Church. We are a part of the Body of Christ. We have responsibilities to live in a manner worthy of our membership in this spiritual communion.

Together in Word: Ephesians 3:1-13

This week’s text gives testimony to the miraculous work of Christ to bring Gentiles and Israel together through the Church. This was an historical and theological necessity and reality in Paul’s day. For us today, this text calls us to reflect on the incredible beauty of the Church. Through the miraculous work of Christ, God is now revealing His wisdom through the Church (3:10). Take some time to reflect this week on the unique role played by the Church. Ask God to speak to you about how He is using our church directly in your life.

Together in Deed:

Our text this week is challenging us to reflect upon the beauty of the Church. Individual churches actually live out the calling of God to display His wisdom on earth. Our church matters to God! How you participate in and through our church makes a difference.

Suggestion: How would you assess your involvement in, participation in, support of, and commitment to our church? Do you need to make any changes after your reflection? Take whatever tangible steps you need to take to begin to reflect any new levels of commitment.

January 21, 2024:  Competent . . . Together!

 Ephesians 4:7-16

The ministry of Jesus gave evidence to both His character and His competencies. He was completely perfect in both Person and Work. He embodied all that was needed for Him to fulfill God’s plan for the redemption of humanity. He has placed the Church on earth, and it now functions as His Body. It stands to reason that He has fully equipped His Body to develop both the character that reflects His Person and the competencies to accomplish His Work. In this message, I will address the competencies of the gifted people Christ uses to provide leadership for His Church.

Together in Word: Ephesians 4:7-16

The text for this week is jam-packed with deep truths. As the passage opens, we are reminded that we all are recipients of God’s grace for both salvation and ministry. Paul uses the Incarnation of Jesus as a reminder that He became like us and now He has ascended and gifted us so that we might be like Him! As you reflect on this passage, give consideration to how you have been gifted (graced) by God for ministry. You may want to consult other passages like Romans 12 or 1 Corinthians 12 for further context. Further, reflect upon how you are using the giftedness provided by God’s Spirit in the life of our church. Where are your utilizing your giftedness in ministry through First Baptist Arlington?

Together in Deed:

As you have reflected on this text this week, how do you sense God leading you to serve at our church? How is God leading you? Also, how supportive are you of others who are serving in our church? How are you supporting and blessing the leaders of our church? Is God using you to assist others in finding paths to service in our church?

Suggestion: If you need to take more initiative in using your gifts in ministry through our church, seek to find a path to accomplish this. Offer yourself as a volunteer in service to others. Also, take some time this week to encourage at least one person who is serving well in our church. Write them a note. Have a brief encouraging conversation with them. Thank them for their faithfulness in service to our Lord through our church.

January 28, 2024:  Raised with Christ . . . Together!

 Ephesians 2:1-10

Our text for today is one of the most comprehensive and exquisite explanations of our salvation in Christ. We have been redeemed from our sins by the grace of God. Paul’s image is that we have been raised with Christ—and introduced to the miraculous splendor of the spiritual realities of the heavenly realm! God is present with us and within us. We are no longer dead in our sin. We have been saved! We are now God’s masterpieces on display in a broken world! The local church is filled with masterpieces! God’s people are graced and gifted so that the beautiful story of redemption can be incarnated through us.

Together in Word: Ephesians 2:1-10

This text! This text offers us a clear explanation of the power of the saving grace of Jesus Christ in the life of every believer. As Christians, we have been saved by His grace. We have been delivered from our sinful state and our redemption is secure in Christ. This week, take time to reflect upon your own salvation experience. You may want to record your remembrances of your salvation story in your journal. Thank God for His saving work in your life! 

Together in Deed:

This week, we have all taken time to reflect upon our own salvation experience. When was the last time you shared that experience with a lost person? Let this week be the time you do so. Share your story with an unchurched person this week. Invite them to join you at your church next Sunday! 

February 4, 2024:  Caring and Feeding . . . Together!

 Ephesians 4:11-13

Christ has given His Church just what it needs to fulfill His mission. He has provided gifted people to lead churches as they engage in His work throughout the world. In this text, Paul mentions pastors and teachers as two examples of those leaders. Today we will explore just how these gifted people serve the church through caring and feeding God’s people.

Together in Word: Ephesians 1:15-23

This week, our text is the beautiful prayer from the opening chapter of Ephesians. In this prayer, Paul intercedes for the Ephesians and asks God to provide His wisdom and revelation so they may know Him more deeply. He also prays that they will come to a deeper understanding of the glorious riches of their inheritance and His great power. Take some time to reflect upon these requests. Accept this as a prayer that is prayed over you! Ask God to guide you in accepting these petitions and lead you to embrace these realities in your own spiritual life.

Together in Deed:

Our text this week is the magnificent prayer from Ephesians 1. Wow! As you have reflected this week on this prayer ---- how has it affected you? Have you sensed God’s wisdom in an area where you needed it? Have you appropriated God’s power in your life in an area of weakness? Have you had your heart enlightened this week?

Suggestion: Choose someone in your life who needs prayer in their life right now. Pray this prayer over them this week in your prayer time. Contact them this week and let them know you have done just that. Perhaps you might just pray this prayer over them in person.  

February 11, 2024: Onward and Upward . . . Together!

 Ephesians 4:11-13

Christ has given His Church just what it needs! Last week, we explored how pastors and teachers serve the church family. Today we take some time to learn more about apostles, prophets, and evangelists. These people are often at the “edges” of the church----leading the church onward and upward in ministry and mission. We will seek to learn how better to utilize the giftedness of these leaders.

Together in Word: Ephesians 3:14-21

This prayer is truly a powerful text for our reflection this week. Just like last week, let the words of this prayer just wash over your soul. Take time this week to pray through this rich text. Personalize the prayer and let God minister to you in your life with Him. 

Together in Deed:

We will conclude our series this week. Take the time to truly reflect on the prayer from Ephesians. Pray it over our church. Pray for the apostles, prophets, and evangelists. Pray for the boldness of these leaders to lead our church into new frontiers of mission and ministry. If you recognize one of these folks in our church, make it a point this week to encourage them to live out their calling in our midst.