The Gospel of the Church
Living God's Dream
So, what is the dream that you are living? Whose dream is it? How do your dreams compare with God's dream? Do you worry that they are not the same? Do sense significant places where they are the same? What is God's dream for us, individually and as a church? Ephesians is one of those places where we can get a good glimpse of what God dreams.
The question that Pastor Jon poses as we begin to listen to Ephesians is, "Do we believe that we really need Jesus?" Not just to be "saved," but to live? Do I live like I really need Jesus? How does He figure into my dream?
Too often, too many, think of needing Christ mostly in terms of assurance of salvation, which is important, but forget that salvation is not just about where one may end up at some point in the future, but also about how I go about living my life right now. It is about living in Christ today, and Christ living in me.
What does it mean for me to "live in Christ" and have "Christ living in me" not just in church, but in my home, at work, when engaged in conversation, when considering how I relate to politics and economics? Does God really get to be Lord of all? "What does it mean to really live in Christ, and let Christ live out His life in me?" is the question that should be central to every aspect of our lives.
As you read through the passage to the right, take some time to reflect on what you hear here about the significance of the kind of life Paul is describing. Read between the lines and allow him to paint the picture of the church. Allow the dream of God to form in your mind. How does this dream compare to the dream that you live? Where are the growing edges for you? For what are you the most thankful?
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Ephesians 1
TNIV
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemptionthrough his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f]of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.