The local church is God’s “Plan A” for the Christian life. God has established this unique, mysterious, and glorious entity to grow believers into fully mature followers of Jesus. In a short journey through Ephesians, we will see the Apostle Paul masterfully describe how each believer belongs to and functions within a local church. We are one body made up of many parts!
The Head of the Church – August 7, 2022 – In Paul’s prayer in the first chapter of Ephesians, we see Christ as our foundation: raised from the dead, seated at God’s right hand, far above all things, appointed as the head of the church. By growing in our relationship with Jesus, his blessings are poured out on us, including his hope, riches, and power.
The Heart of the Church – August 14, 2022 – In Paul’s second prayer in the letter to the Ephesians, he wants believers to understand that Jesus dwells in our hearts by faith. Our understanding of God’s boundless love compels us to glorify Christ through the church.
The Unity of the Church – August 21, 2022 – Guest speaker Jimmy Carter teaches on the Unity of the Church. Jimmy is one of the pastors at Shepherd’s Church, in Cary, and is director of the Shepherd’s Institute and Shepherd’s Seminary.
The Body of the Church – August 28, 2022 – The body of Christ is composed of many diverse parts. If you’re a true believer in Christ, you can’t disqualify yourself from the body just by saying so. God has said that every part is essential ~ and that he gets to decide which part we each are! Finally, others can’t make you less important to the body just by saying so. We must all take up our place in the body, and live for Christ, because the church matters!