City Church Garland

We are in a spiritual war. We are confident in our ultimate victory because of Christ's victory on the cross. But how do we live our present lives in this daily battle? In Ephesians 6, Paul teaches us about our spiritual armor and how God has equipped us to stand firm against Satan and his demons as well as to prevail so that God's Kingdom is advanced in this hostile world.

The Christian marriage symbolizes the union of Christ with His church. Within the Christian marriage husbands are to love their wives self-sacrificially and wives are to submit to the headship of their husbands. These two roles can be compared to a dance, which takes work, but is beautiful and thrilling when done with care. Also, families and workplaces are to reflect the grace of the gospel and to be orchastrated in such a way that Christ reigns as head over all.

As beloved children, God calls us to imitate him in how we live our lives. When we choose to imitate our heavenly Father, we maximize our joy and God's glory in our lives. In this passage God calls us to imitate him by walking in love, light, and wisdom. Thankfully our walk is not in our strength, but in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

Christ followers are new creations, so they are to live like Christ by renewing theirs minds and decisively put off the old self and put on the new self. Holiness does develop in the life of a Christian by them spiritually coasting along in life rather they must intentionally pursure holiness with the enablement of the Holy Spirit. Christians possess the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, and thus the fruit of His dwelling within them will become more and more evident by the fruit of holiness brought forth in their lives.

God has a purpose and plan that He is working out in history through His Church (3:1-13) & Paul's prayer is for that purpose and plan to come to fruition in the life of the Ephesian church (3:14-21).

The gospel of Jesus Christ tears down walls that separate mankind from God and from one another and it brings reconciliation and peace in place of hostility.

Grace is not something we are accustomed to in our present society. We value hard work and success, but not grace. How do we respond to God's grace that saves sinners. In Ephesians 2:1-10, we will see a major contrast between our old life in sin and our new life in Christ as well as God's purposes in showing us saving grace.

Paul prayed to the Father of Glory asking that the Church may gain deep spiritual insight of who God is, what He has done, what He will do and what the Church has. Paul's prayer was that they might know God and have the eyes of thier hearts enlightened to know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints and the greatness of His power that works towards us who believe.

God deserves all praise, glory and honor in view of His gracious blessings of election, adoption, redemption and salvation, which He has graciously given us in Christ Jesus.

A community that is centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ will live distinctively different lives from the world. Because of the work that Christ has done in their lives, they will be increasingly marked by virtues such as humility, love, generosity, hospitality, passion, compassion and many others. In Romans chapter 12 the Apostle Paul gives several imperatives that are to be lived out by those whose lives have been truly impacted by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In it he describes what real Christianity looks like on the ground.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ Powerfully transforms the lives of those who have believed it and have had their minds renewed by it. The gospel leads people to surrender to God and live theirs lives set apart for Him.

Strategic prayer, proclamation and partnerships are essential for the growth of any church.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ changes us and how we relate to one another. The gracious manner in which Christ has dealt with us leads us to relate to others with that same grace and love. As Christ followers who consider Jesus to be "all, and in all" we are to have Christ-centered relationships. Christ-centered relationships are marked by grace, love, peace and gratitude. They are influenced by the word of Christ and they aim to bring glory to the name of Christ.

Since we have a new identity in Christ we must have a new mentality & morality. We are to live in accordance with who Christ has made us & what he has taught us. This involves us making war on sin & actively seeking to be like Christ in our character & conduct.

All that Christ is and all that He has done for us is enough for our salvation. In Him we have a new identity and status before God. Therefore we must be stable and steadfast trusting in Him and we must not deviate from the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul's ministry was a stewardship given to him by God for the sake of others. And it involved suffering and struggles in which he had to endure to fulfill his mission of making the word of God known to the Gentiles. Followers of Christ can expect suffering and struggles as well. And they too should see themselves as stewards of the gospel message and seek to be faithful messengers.

Christ is the supreme Creator and Sustainer of all things. He is the Savior and Redeemer of all who believe in Him. Thus, He is worthy of our worship, trust and our highest allegiance.

Our proper response to God's sovereign work of grace in our lives is to seek to please Him in every way.

As a follower of Christ you have an identity & purpose in this world that leads you to actions which will have a positive impact on the world and result in good towards humanity & glory to God.

Loving others Like Jesus requires us to humble ourselves & do undesirable tasks to serve others (John 13:1-17). And it requires us to first recognize & receive His love for us (John 13:34).