Grace and Peace - Ephesians 1:1-2
In the opening verses in the letter to the Ephesians, Paul reminds his readers the importance and necessity of grace and peace. In this first message in a new series on the book of Ephesians, Ross explores the nature of grace and peace and why we need to experience both in each moment of each day.
Vertical Acceptance
Rejection is something we all have faced. It’s almost as though God is not afriad of us experiencing rejection. In this talk, we learn how rejection only affirms the truth that the unconditional acceptance we are looking for is only found in Jesus.
Abiding with Jesus
Jesus teaches us that unless we abide in Him, we are unable to accomplish anything. Then what does it mean to abide and more importantly, how do we do it? Abiding is not some form of mystical enlightenment that we must achieve. Nor is it trying to live like Jesus by copying His behaviour. In John 15:4-5, Jesus makes it plain to us as He uses a very simple illustration to explain what it means to abide in Him.
Perfect Love Casts out Fear… Wait, Really?
Those who struggle with fear will recognize this progression: a seed thought drops into your mind, and a paint by numbers image expands in your imagination. Your brain fills in the picture with colour and grit and before you know it, you’re frozen in place. Fear leaps from the periphery into the forefront; your chest tightens and your pulse begins to race.
In the face of such crippling emotion, can it be true that “Perfect Love casts out fear”, as 1 John 4:18 declares?
Making Room for the Holy Spirit
There has been much confusion about the manifestations of the Holy Spirit and what they look like. Ross leads us through 1 Corinthians 12-14 and explores what Paul meant when he said, “Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.”
A Righteousness by Faith
Ever since the Fall, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and shame entered into our world, men and women have been struggling to overcome that shame, trying to prove that sense of value and worth. It is not wrong that we need to answer those questions. The real issue is how do we answer these questions? Ross explains what love and acceptance that is by faith, apart from works means.
DISCLAIMER: The audio team apologizes for the poor quality - you’ll have to listen with a little more concentration :)
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
Everyone suffers loss in a myriad of ways. Matthew 5:4 says : Blessed are those who mourn; for they will be comforted. A closer look at the verse in the context of the new covenant reveals a deeper understanding of what it means to be 'blessed in the midst of grieving'.
The Battle Within
Understanding your enemy and how they attack is critical to achieving victory. Ross walks us through Galatians 5:16-18 to help us understand that the battle is not a battle against our old sinful nature. The old self was crucified with Christ. The battle is with the flesh – which is in you, but not you. It is not even a battle that you are meant to overcome on your own. It is Jesus that provides victory over sin and temptation.
God Demonstrates His Love
On Easter Sunday we celebrate the victory of Jesus Christ on the cross. Ross takes us through Romans 5:6-8 where we see that it was while we were in bondage to sin, death and shame – helpless to free ourselves – that Jesus gave His life. It was more than just an act of love, it was an act of strength motivated by His love, as Jesus became our champion over sin and death.
Life in the Apartment
For too long Christian’s have held the belief that their sanctification was all up to them. But as 1 Thessalonians 5:23 tells us, it’s God’s work to sanctify us—and He’s faithful to do it. When we discover this truth, the real transformation can begin. For this week’s message, Ross uses an analogy of an apartment to illustrate what that looks like.