Ephesians 2.14 - Comfort Zone Collisions

BICF ZGC is one of the best places to prepare for heaven on earth. Any church that proclaims the saving message of Jesus Christ tells you how to get in. Thank God many do! Heaven’s citizens will worship God with reckless abandon, filled with the overwhelming joy of His grace. As we worship I am humbled and grateful to see your sincere hearts in praise. But there is one bigger plus we have in ZGC. People from places we’ll probably never visit are sitting next to us. Let’s be honest, it can be awkward to get to know people – especially when we are different! But we’re all in the transit lounge together, about to travel to our final, eternal, destination together. We can prepare for heaven now in ZGC by sharing in deep, heart level, ways with family members from far-away lands. How about lunch together today?

Ephesians 3 - Ponder This!

You would have to be a real spiritual dolt to not get at least a flutter of soul-stirring wonder from the declarations made by Paul in Ephesians chapters 1 and 2. If just half these astounding claims are true (I believe they ALL are!) we should all fall on our faces giving God unreserved praise for all our days! Really!! The Creator God has brought defiant rebels into His gracious embrace through the horrific slaughter of His Beloved Son!...Chosen…Adopted…Redeemed…Sealed…a Salvation that is at once “tailor-made personal” (each dead sinner is uniquely brought to life!) and “seamlessly fashions” every believer into His ransomed family. Well, sadly, there is a lot of dolt going around, even here in wonderful BICF ZGC! We hear this amazing news and don’t even look up from our affectionately-cuddled phones!  So, in Ephesians 3, the Apostle tries to wake us, again, by proclamation and prayer…

Ephesians 4.1 - Living Nativity

This time of the year some churches dramatize the first Advent. Members dress like the holy family, shepherds, and wise men, with some barn-yard animals, all posing in familiar “Christmas card” scenes. Neighbors and friends come to see, drink hot cocoa, and thoughtfully ponder the “living nativity.” In our study of Ephesians we’re moving through the practical application section. Like the customary Greek ethical codes, Paul tells these ancient Romans how to live. Paul urges believers to show Christ to the world through their household relationships. Jesus is their example and inspiration, especially His perfect submission as a Son of the Father, His loving life-giving sacrifice, and His patient endurance of unjust suffering. His followers aspire to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which (they had)…been called” (Ephesians 4.1). Our neighbors and friends still watch. Are our relationships a “living nativity” pointing them to Him?

Ephesians 4.15 - Truth in Love

We need truth. Scripture is truth. Jesus is “the truth.” Without truth there would only be falsehood and lies. But God is more than just truth. As God’s people, we need more than truth to please Him. Without love Christians turn sour and cynical. Jesus confronted the Ephesian church with the truth challenge.  They had backslidden from the heights of God-honoring worship. Their diligence in doctrine had become drudgery.  Naked truth is not enough. We must strive for the biblical balance of head and heart, life and doctrine, being and doing in our Christian life. It has never been an easy balance to strike. Truth must be clothed with love, “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Love without truth is too soft, and truth without love is too hard. Paul wrote: “Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love” (Ephesians 6:24).

Ephesians 5.32 -Marriage in Heaven?

Earthly marriage offers companionship, comfort, and intimate pleasures. At best it reflects our relationship with God in Christ. Ultimately all human needs, indeed everything we need, flow from God our Maker. So, here on earth, marriage is a transitional reminder of the love of God. Seeing Jesus “face to face” will be the real “wedding day” for every believer in Him. We’ll all live in the eternal embrace of our Maker and Savior - the chasm between heaven and earth eclipsed. His perfect love will deeply unite all His followers to one another and to Him. Sin which separates will be forever gone!  No more language barriers, alienation, competition, or awkwardness. “Soul mates” is not a strong enough term. Mystery about heaven remains, but certainly we will be His Bride. And with such a glorious, gracious Bridegroom, we will not want a Barbie Doll or a pacifier.

Ephesians 6.4 - You’re the Man, Dad!

God still uses traveling evangelists today like He did in ancient Nineveh. Yet most often He uses ordinary means like faithfulness, friendship, and family. He wants us to show Jesus as we speak about Him. Dads have a huge responsibility! Statistics from the West show that if a child is taken to church on a regular basis by their family there is an 80% chance they’ll continue that good habit into adulthood. If just Mom takes the kids that number drops to 30%. But if just Dad takes the kiddos to church there is a 70% chance it will stick in the years to come. Kids are deeply impressed when God really matters to Dad, and when He does not. So, men, when God blesses you with a family, they are your most important responsibility, and you are their most influential example – and the family priest!

Philippians 3.20 - Citizenship

Paul was qualified to be the Apostle to either Jews or Gentiles. Peter was no match for Paul’s great intellect or ability. But Paul’s citizenship gave him unique opportunity to serve throughout the Gentile (Roman) world.  We at ZGC have 2 things in common about citizenship. 1) We have the same eternal citizenship. “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3.20).  We’re destined for a fatherland with no passport checks. Knowing Jesus as God and Savior secures our place in this most important nation. 2) Our passports come in many different colors. And for us, like Paul, citizenship both opens and closes doors on earth. The Lord of all nations willed us each to be born in one nation that together as one family we might labor to reach every nation. Paul saw BOTH his citizenships as God-ordained opportunities to enhance preaching the gospel, so should we.