Oceanside United Reformed Church Unknown

We again open up Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus this morning with Paul's first prayer in this book. What is prayer-- Why is it necessary-- What are the kinds of things we should ask based on Paul's example-- --A THRIVING CHURCH--A PRAYING APOSTLE--ENLIGHTENED TO KNOW GOD - -KNOWING GOD'S CALLING- -KNOWING GOD'S RICHES- -KNOWING GOD'S POWER

We continue through Paul's letter to the Ephesian churches with another passage that flows out of his praise - prayer in chapter 1. We'll hear everything great about the good news- how it changes our relationship with God and each other, as well as calls us to access our newfound status as the people of God. --REMEMBER YOU WERE -FAR OFF- -VV. 11-12- Separated...-Alienated...-Estranged...-Hopeless...-Godless---REVEL IN BEING BROUGHT -NEAR- -VV. 13-18- --You who once were far off have been brought near--By the blood of Christ--The horizonal or social aspects of this nearness--The vertical or theological aspects of this nearness--For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father--RESPOND TO YOUR NEW ACCESS -VV. 19-22- Metaphor- you are citizens of a city-Metaphor- you are a house

We continue our survey of the Bible with the prophecy of Zephaniah. He's the last pre-exilic prophet we've looked at. His message is one of judgment and hope- two great themes of the Bible.

This text reminds us to make sure we are ready for the return of Christ. --THE CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND JESUS' RETURN- THE CAUTION TO BE PREPARED-THE CHARACTERISTICS OF BEING PREPARED

We continue through Paul's letter to the Ephesian churches with one of the more well-known, fundamental passages in all the New Testament. If you were in an elevator and had to give a 30-second pitch to someone, you could hardly go wrong with this text to summarize the Christian faith.

Believers can persevere in prayer through suffering, because we know that God doesn't abandon us. He will hear our prayers and give us reason to praise Him. --WHEN GOD ISN'T THERE -VV. 1-10--WHEN PEOPLE ATTACK -VV. 11-21--WHEN PEOPLE PRAISE -VV. 22-31-