por Kalamazoo First
I’m a huge fan of this season, the traditions, and the spirit behind the season. But this time can feel like a storm of activity. Throughout the bible, “storms” are mentioned as moments that happen that we can’t help, but something we all must go through. Here in Michigan, (especially this time of year) our storms are called BLIZZARDS. And often, that’s what the hurry of activity can feel like this time of year: a blizzard. This 3-week series is our opportunity to step into the narrative of the Christmas story and not get lost in the storm. We can’t avoid a storm, but we do have the promise of Immanuel. He is “God with us.”
I’m a huge fan of this season, the traditions, and the spirit behind the season. But this time can feel like a storm of activity. Throughout the bible, “storms” are mentioned as moments that happen that we can’t help, but something we all must go through. Here in Michigan, (especially this time of year) our storms are called BLIZZARDS. And often, that’s what the hurry of activity can feel like this time of year: a blizzard. This 3-week series is our opportunity to step into the narrative of the Christmas story and not get lost in the storm. We can’t avoid a storm, but we do have the promise of Immanuel. He is “God with us.”
A Masterclass is simple: it’s a class given to students of a particular discipline by an expert of that discipline— usually music, painting, drama, or any of the arts. Or on any other occasion where skills are being developed. And for the early church, Paul the apostle was the “expert” speaking into local churches the skills needed to follow Jesus Christ. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a “masterclass.” Used by early Christians, this letter was taken to all of the churches to help them live a truly blessed life. Here we discover that we are adopted and chosen by God, while being united with other followers of Jesus. We are saved by grace, free of the penalty stacked up against us by our sin. No longer are we strangers - we’re insiders, gifted by God, and servant partners with Jesus and his work. We are fully alive and him, heirs of the vast fortune that has given us new life. Join us this series as we all learn from the “Masterclass” of Ephesians.
A Masterclass is simple: it’s a class given to students of a particular discipline by an expert of that discipline— usually music, painting, drama, or any of the arts. Or on any other occasion where skills are being developed. And for the early church, Paul the apostle was the “expert” speaking into local churches the skills needed to follow Jesus Christ. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a “masterclass.” Used by early Christians, this letter was taken to all of the churches to help them live a truly blessed life. Here we discover that we are adopted and chosen by God, while being united with other followers of Jesus. We are saved by grace, free of the penalty stacked up against us by our sin. No longer are we strangers - we’re insiders, gifted by God, and servant partners with Jesus and his work. We are fully alive and him, heirs of the vast fortune that has given us new life. Join us this series as we all learn from the “Masterclass” of Ephesians.
A Masterclass is simple: it’s a class given to students of a particular discipline by an expert of that discipline— usually music, painting, drama, or any of the arts. Or on any other occasion where skills are being developed. And for the early church, Paul the apostle was the “expert” speaking into local churches the skills needed to follow Jesus Christ. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a “masterclass.” Used by early Christians, this letter was taken to all of the churches to help them live a truly blessed life. Here we discover that we are adopted and chosen by God, while being united with other followers of Jesus. We are saved by grace, free of the penalty stacked up against us by our sin. No longer are we strangers - we’re insiders, gifted by God, and servant partners with Jesus and his work. We are fully alive and him, heirs of the vast fortune that has given us new life. Join us this series as we all learn from the “Masterclass” of Ephesians.
A Masterclass is simple: it’s a class given to students of a particular discipline by an expert of that discipline— usually music, painting, drama, or any of the arts. Or on any other occasion where skills are being developed. And for the early church, Paul the apostle was the “expert” speaking into local churches the skills needed to follow Jesus Christ. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a “masterclass.” Used by early Christians, this letter was taken to all of the churches to help them live a truly blessed life. Here we discover that we are adopted and chosen by God, while being united with other followers of Jesus. We are saved by grace, free of the penalty stacked up against us by our sin. No longer are we strangers - we’re insiders, gifted by God, and servant partners with Jesus and his work. We are fully alive and him, heirs of the vast fortune that has given us new life. Join us this series as we all learn from the “Masterclass” of Ephesians.
A Masterclass is simple: it’s a class given to students of a particular discipline by an expert of that discipline— usually music, painting, drama, or any of the arts. Or on any other occasion where skills are being developed. And for the early church, Paul the apostle was the “expert” speaking into local churches the skills needed to follow Jesus Christ.Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a “masterclass.” Used by early Christians, this letter was taken to all of the churches to help them live a truly blessed life. Here we discover that we are adopted and chosen by God, while being united with other followers of Jesus. We are saved by grace, free of the penalty stacked up against us by our sin. No longer are we strangers - we’re insiders, gifted by God, and servant partners with Jesus and his work. We are fully alive and him, heirs of the vast fortune that has given us new life.Join us this series as we all learn from the “Masterclass” of Ephesians.
A Masterclass is simple: it’s a class given to students of a particular discipline by an expert of that discipline— usually music, painting, drama, or any of the arts. Or on any other occasion where skills are being developed. And for the early church, Paul the apostle was the “expert” speaking into local churches the skills needed to follow Jesus Christ.Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a “masterclass.” Used by early Christians, this letter was taken to all of the churches to help them live a truly blessed life. Here we discover that we are adopted and chosen by God, while being united with other followers of Jesus. We are saved by grace, free of the penalty stacked up against us by our sin. No longer are we strangers - we’re insiders, gifted by God, and servant partners with Jesus and his work. We are fully alive and him, heirs of the vast fortune that has given us new life.Join us this series as we all learn from the “Masterclass” of Ephesians.
Pastor Dave shares a challenging and timely message about our Christ-centered responsibility toward one another, despite of our differences.
Pastor Thomas Finley at Kfirst.