Cloud’s Creek Baptist Church Cloud's Creek

In today's sermon on Ephesians 3:14-19, we read Paul's prayer for the Ephesians to grasp the mystery of God's goodness. The emphasis is on God's unlimited resources and the encouragement to seek more from Him. We are urged to desire a deeper experience of God's love. The passage parallels the greatest commandment, emphasizing strength, soul, mind, and love. The prayer is for the congregation to be filled with the fullness of God, seeking a life saturated with His presence and blessings.

In today's message, we explore Ephesians 3:20-21, focusing on God's ability to do immeasurably more than we can imagine. We discuss praying confidently in God's will, considering different levels of His will. We talk about the importance of giving glory to God in all aspects of life and living intentionally in alignment with our new identity in Christ, as we have read in the first 3 chapters.

This week, we're delving into Ephesians 3:1-13, unraveling the mystery of God revealed through Jesus. As we explore the fulfillment of numerous prophecies by Christ, we come to understand the intricate plan God had in place throughout history. We'll grasp the cosmic significance of the church and its role in proclaiming God's goodness to believers and the spiritual realms. We'll reflect on Paul's example, encouraging each other to prioritize others for the sake of the Gospel. Let's remind ourselves of the profound impact of the cross and allow the Gospel to naturally lead us to care deeply for others.

This week, we look at spiritual death and God's transformative grace. Reflecting on Ephesians 2:1-3, we acknowledge our universal brokenness and enslavement, emphasizing that we were all once spiritually dead. There is a stark contrast between living in the flesh and living in Christ. Being a Christian isn't just about the afterlife but experiencing new life now. We're reminded to view others not as enemies but as people in need of life. The world tends to be a place of despair, with a real enemy at work.



But God's love and mercy make us alive with Christ and offer incomparable grace. We live in gratitude, knowing that salvation is a gift, not earned. We stress the importance of maintaining hope amid worldly challenges, living out our new life, and being ready to share the reason for our hope.

This week we look at the importance of prayer and the content of our prayers. Emphasizing that our prayer lives have often been influenced by a consumerism culture, leading us to pray for small and material things, almost treating God like Santa Claus. Instead, we ought to shift our prayers towards a desire for spiritual growth and transformation. The focus is on changing our identities and understanding ourselves as God sees us. Pray for a deeper knowledge of God and a higher spiritual view rather than just seeking changes in our circumstances. This passage also underscores the accessibility of understanding scripture, encouraging us to read the Bible and ask God for wisdom and insight. The core message revolves around placing Jesus above all things, recognizing that He is higher and more significant than any worldly concern. It calls for a shift in priorities, with a desire for more of Jesus and less of ourselves, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of our faith and God's plan.

Every Super Hero is a normal person who then gets extraordinary power. The new life we have in Jesus gives us the ability to love and care for others. We have a role as the hands and feet of Jesus. There are so many around us who need help, even just a little encouragement can go a long way. Ask God, and be on the lookout for opportunities to help others.