Too often, western culture exalts the rights of the individual over the collective—we know what we deserve, what we are entitled to… This attitude poisons the church and destroys unity. Paul paints a different picture—calling us to humility, to recognize that our gifts are designed to build up the body, to repent of our sins so that they don’t damage the body, to understand that unity is what pleases God.
Read MoreHow can anyone describe God—his plan, his wisdom, his vision for humans? Paul explains this “mystery”—what once divided people into ethnic and cultural camps at war, now serves as the very voice of God to proclaim his message. How does God choose to send his message? By unifying the warring factions of humanity into the form of a body—the body of Christ!
Read MoreWhat exactly is a temple? The biblical story from creation to revelation describes a garden where people walk with God in his “paradise” (the Greek word for garden!). Each character in the Bible who wants to revisit that fellowship with God must see through the darkness of a world that chose a different path to enter into God’s presence. Where does this happen? In a garden, a tent or tabernacle, an altar, also known as a Temple. In Ephesians 2 Paul explains that God has revealed a new way to experience the presence of God in the midst of a lost world… a new Temple… his church!
Read MoreHave you ever been around a zealot? Someone so fanatic that their passion scares you; their vision and faith so out of the box that you’re intimidated… I’d like to re-introduce you to the apostle Paul’s heaven-dripping anthem to Christians the wonder of beholding God’s Master Plan to reveal the kingdom: the Church! Paul invites us to resonate a song of Praise, to explore the spiritual realms, to understand the reality of Jesus’ reign, to reveal the glory of God’s message for this earth: us!
Read MoreHow does a church that began with such an explosion of faith get to the point where Jesus has to ask, “what is going on with you?” How did a movement that at one time spread like fire around the earth fall to the point where Jesus wants to know where is their love? This story repeats itself throughout history—a passionate movement ages into a stale, traditional institution. Love waning, faith fainting, hope fading… now what? Is there a way to regain that first love? What does that even mean? Let’s explore!
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