In this sermon we introduce the wonderful letter that we know as Ephesians with an exploration of the opening passage in 1:1-14 - in the Greek language a single unbroken sentence of blessing to God and celebration of what God has done for his people.

Ephesians 1:15-23 contains one of the great prayers of the New Testament Scriptures. Here is Paul's prayerful response to the mighty work of God in Christ.

Ephesians 2:1-10 overflows in celebration of God's grace and kindness! The apostle affirms that all who trust in Christ are part of God's new creation. What God has done for Christ, God has done for his people! The future is shaped by the wonderful hope of the gospel.

The great ethnic, cultural and religious divide between Jews and Gentiles has been overcome in Christ, so Gentiles are now included in God’s people and share in his promises and purposes. As part of God’s people, we have to take the Old Testament as Christian scripture. God is now building all his people into a temple where he dwells, so we are a worshipping people

Ephesians 3 is the heart of the letter. It culminates in an overwhelming, expansive and wonderful prayer - the prayer of a prisoner, who believes in the God of incomparable grace. In this sermon we focus on the life and prayer of the apostle Paul.

Ephesians 4:1-16 presents a radical vision for the church as community of diversity-in-unity, people of all sorts living at peace, bound together by God's Spirit and maturing into Christlikeness.

In Ephesians 4:17–32, Paul digs into the profound way God wants to remake us: we're created to be like him. When the generous fullness and unifying love of God takes hold of us it will change everything about the way we speak, work and live.

Ephesians 5:1-20 explores what it means for the church to imitate God in the midst of a culture where many lesser gods beckon to us. Paul reminds the church of their identity as dearly beloved children of God. His words are ones of encouragement to live together as children of light, exposing hollow ways of living and redeeming the time.

In the ancient world, the good news of Christ changed everything - including relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, slaves and masters. Ephesians 5:21-6:9 is a revolutionary portion of Scripture.

What does it mean to be a soldier of the gospel in a time of evil? A soldier of peace and reconciliation? In this sermon on the final portion of Ephesians we ask those questions.