April 24, 2023
Ephesians 1:1-14
EXTRAVAGANT GIFTS
What is wrong with the world and what can be done about it? If you’re even partially conscientious, you think about these things. The letter Paul wrote to the Ephesians answers both questions and Paul is so excited about what God is doing that he has a run-on sentence of 204 words! Do your best not to get overwhelmed by the ideas piling up on top of each other! Each phrase is describing another part of the extravagant love of God, make sure you hear that loud and clear.
Listen to an audio version of the message
Songs for this week: Spotify
Ephesians 1:1-14
- If you were talking to someone at the rink or grocery store and asked them “What is wrong with the world?” And even “What can be done about it?” How might they respond? If you get these questions beforehand you can ask someone those very questions.
- Which phrase of God’s extravagant love in vv 3-14, stands out most to you? Why?
- How do you process God’s ‘choosing’ people (v. 4, 11) and even predestining them? Does that feel exclusive or do you understand it differently?
- Explain the phrase “to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ”. What does that mean and what does it mean in your life?
- “Praise” is Paul’s response to what God has done. What does ‘praise’ look like in your life these days? When are you at your ‘praising’ best?
Share with a friend
Recent Sermons
Mark 1:35 - Jesus modelled a life of restraint and rhythm, showing us how to live with peace and purpose even amid urgency through the practices he shared.
Luke 6:39-49 - Jesus reminds us that we all have teachers shaping us. Some lead us astray, but when we follow him, we learn to live as we were truly meant to.
Romans 12:1-2 - Jesus’ invitation is to follow him: to be with him, become like him, and do what he did. We surrender control to Jesus, resist the pattern of the world that shapes us, and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit for transformation.
Mark 1:16-18 -We begin our series on Practicing the Way—exploring how Jesus’ rhythms of prayer, fasting, solitude, and Sabbath invite ordinary people to grow in grace and intimacy with God
Acts 17:16-34 -Paul shares the hope of Jesus in everyday language, guiding seekers toward truth and showing where their search for God had gone astray.
Acts 13:1-5 -The first Christians had small groups! They knew, because Jesus modelled it, that we’re much better in groups than we are as individuals. The group that gathered in Antioch was diverse, zoned in on Jesus and figuring out how to be outward-facing. Your own group will want all that and more!
