God does not ask us to do what he himself has not already done. God has given us the resources to love.
The gods were personified sources of power that reflected the breadth of humanity, including its best and more often its worst attributes.
We are well-connected to God: we all have the Father, the Son, and the Spirit dwelling within us.
God approves of Jesus, and we should follow after him. This power assists us to carry out God’s purpose and mission in the world.
The good news is that God has placed Jesus at the head of the family—each of us stands accountable to him and each of us stands equal before him.
The truth is that grace, or gift, was not a concept unique to the Christian faith in the first century. In fact, even pagan religion afforded grace a role in the relationship between the gods and their followers. What makes the grace of the Christian gospel unique? In today’s Seven Minute Seminary video, Dr. John Barclay explains that it’s the nature of the recipients—us—that is so telling about the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
Listen in on Steve Martyn and Ken Collins as they host a series preaching through John Wesley’s sermons, arranged topically according to the Order of Salvation. This week, enjoy Awake, Thou that Sleepest (Ephesians 5:14). Check back every Sunday for a new sermon.
“What God has done in Christ has brought forth a community of believers who live in holiness and sanctification before God and have a mission to accomplish.” | Dr. Fred Long explores the nature of the letter of Ephesians and how its political theology is subversive to other realities, both then and now.
