All Access
The first time I received an all-access backstage pass it was for a surf contest as a gift from a friend. I was so excited because I had access to meet the pros, eat free food, and go into special areas others couldn’t go. When my friend wasn’t with me though, I didn’t trust the pass to give me ALL-access, so I ended just staying in the background trying not to get kicked out. I didn’t have confidence that my pass meant the same as everyone else’s and then there was no freedom to use it fully. The next year was different, I knew what the pass gave me, and the contest was awesome. I walked around like I owned the place.
Paul wanted the Ephesians to know Jesus is that all access
pass. Through Him the Ephesians could approach God as they
belonged. They belonged because He calls them His own
through His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). That same truth is true
for us! We have been given his incredible gift—all access to
God. Access to the creator of the universe, the sustainer of
the world, to our heavenly Father. We did not have to pay for
it or earn the access, Jesus gave us an incredible gift.
This new access made the Ephesians feel approved, accepted, and loved by God. They understood that no matter what others thought, their access could not be changed. This allowed them to confidently approach God on their own and gave them freedom to tell Him anything. Jesus changed their hearts to give them this ability. This is true for us as well!
Sometimes I still need to be reminded of what Jesus has done.
He has given me life and allows me to lift my prayers to Him
ALWAYS! That means access is never denied and it means
God wants us to always come to Him. As I think about this
amazing truth I am filled with acceptance and love. It makes
me want to spend time with God, to make this relationship
and conversation a priority because He will never say I have
the wrong pass.
How have you been approaching God? Have you approached with confidence and freedom because Jesus has changed you and given you access? Read Ephesians 3:12 through the next week and take time to thank God for the access He has given you.
Jesus, thank you for making a way to God the Father for me, thank
you for allowing me to come to at any time without fear and with
confidence knowing you are there. Amen.
Jeremy Johnson
Pastor of Men’s Ministries
Two Doors
It may not seem like much of a mystery to hear the news that “Gentiles are fellow heirs,” but to first century Jewish believers, this was something they had never expected. Just when they thought they knew the way to God, Jesus opened a door “through the gospel.” Whatever the Christian life looks like, it looks the way it does because you have entered “through the gospel.” If you have seen any growth or change in your life, it is because you have entered “through the gospel.” And if, like the Ephesians, you are learning to tear down the walls that typically divide people—walls like ethnicity, status, income, gender, etc.—it is because you have entered the door “through the gospel.” You see, there are only two doors. There’s the door “through the gospel” and the door “through yourself.” One leads to life and the other leads to ... nothing.
I’m reminded of a time when I took some of our high school students to the Holocaust Museum in Los Angeles. Early in the tour there is an exhibit that highlights different ways that people have prejudice against other people. It is convicting and powerful, but the point is to help everyone realize that prejudice is something that everyone has. You can’t help leaving that exhibit feeling a little guilty. Then to make matters worse, you are given a choice between two doors to continue the tour. One door says, “Unprejudiced” and the other door says, “Prejudiced.” Everyone is instructed to enter through the door that best describes their attitudes. Are they “Prejudiced” or “Unprejudiced?” For most people, the point is obvious.
All our students walked through the “Prejudiced” door. I’m glad they did! First, I’m glad because this is a healthy realization for all people. But second, I’m glad because, when we got through the door, the tour guide told us that the “Unprejudiced” door is locked. You can’t go through it. No one can. Wow! To say, “I am unprejudiced” is to say, “I have it all figured out,” and “I am good enough,” and “I don’t need help.” There is only one door that leads to finding help, growth and life.
What a great picture of the gospel! There is a door that is open to us “through the gospel.” The other door, the door of our own effort, the door that relies on you and I having it all figured out and trying to be good enough is an option ... but it just doesn’t lead anywhere. The door to life is the same for all ... the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Josh Rose
Pastor of Adult Ministries
The New Game
All three of our sons started playing sports when they were about five and were introduced to baseball by playing on a T-ball team. T-ball is the purest and most joyful form of baseball. These little guys had no idea what they were doing — they just loved being part of a team (a little family of sorts) working toward the same goal. Of course, no score was kept, and the point was to learn the fundamentals of hitting a ball that was sitting on a little platform (not pitched), running bases, catching and throwing. They showed up, cheered each other on and loved sliding in the dirt to the base even when the ball was still trying to find its way to the little guy waiting at the plate. These eager players all started out with no knowledge or skill to play the game, just fearless, and full of joy. They were red and yellow, black and white, and precious in their parents’ and God’s sight. They gave it all they had.
In Ephesians, Paul is given the assignment of taking the
mystery of the gospel to the wider world. God gave Paul the
ministry of making known “the mystery” which had been
“kept secret since the world began” (Romans 16:25). Paul is
amazed at God’s grace in choosing him, of all people, for this
work. When Paul calls himself “less than the least” he isn’t
referring to his ability or desire for the work. He is referring
to his worthiness to be chosen. He had been a chief activist
in the persecution of the Christian Way. Christ stopped Paul
dead in his tracks and appointed him to the opposite task, to
be a chief activist in spreading Christ’s gospel message to all
nations. Paul was amazed at this grace. He was an example
of a man who didn’t take for granted the knowledge given
him. He knew it wasn’t himself that accomplished it, but the
Holy Spirit working in him and giving him the revelation, the answer to the mystery, the answer the world needed. God’s redemption plan to save both Jews and Gentiles in Christ. God’s “wisdom” was glimpsed by the prophets of old. But now through Jesus Christ the veil of mystery is lifted, and the good message is revealed. The wisdom of God for salvation is fully known! That is why Jesus said in Mark 1:15, that we must repent and believe in the gospel. It was now in Paul’s power to help everyone share in the mystery of Christ, even from prison — and would he have had time to write all those letters if he hadn’t been in prison?
The point: God’s longing is for all of us, no matter where we come from, what our preferences are, or what we’ve done in the past — to know and understand that we’re on the same team. We all started out this new life in Christ like those little t-ball players — not well prepared or skilled at all, but willing to show up, learn, practice, and be all in for the sake of his glory. Have you encouraged someone this week, helped a ministry, or cheered someone on? All he asks is that we show up and he’ll take it from there.
Deb Hill
Executive Assistant
Steward of Grace
When I was five years old, I took my first airplane flight with my family from LA to North Dakota to visit my grandparents. I was so excited, partly because my folks let me wear my new Davey Crocket coonskin cap (with a tail). The stewardess on the plane was quick to comment on my special hat and made me feel welcome. I’ve flown dozens of times since and I’m always aware of those who are taking care of us on the flight. Now stewardesses or stewards are called “flight attendants.” Their job is to care for their passengers needs on their journey, providing safety and security.
Paul calls himself a “steward,” or caretaker responsible for the
message of God’s grace to the Gentiles. The word stewardship
has also been translated as responsibility, administration,
management or householder. This last definition is the literal
translation from the Greek word Paul uses. A steward is one
who was responsible for running a household, including care
of the occupants, house and grounds. The word is used nine
times in the New Testament.
So, what was Paul a steward of?
He explains to his Ephesian readers that he was given the responsibility to communicate the importance of God’s grace. Everything they (and we) have comes to us by grace. So then, what is grace? There are at least a dozen great definitions of grace. We can see it in all of Paul’s letters.
Three of the best definitions I have found are these:
“Grace is the empowering presence of God that enables us to see
who he is making us to be.”
“Grace introduces us to the glorious intentions of God.”
“Grace, like water, flows to the lowest place.”
Paul will go on in this chapter to introduce us to what he calls the mystery of Christ. In short, the mystery is that by God’s grace we Gentiles are fellow heirs of the promises of God and members of the same body of Christ. Amazing! This will be explained in future devotionals. Have you been a recipient of the grace of God? He’s waiting to bless you.
Chip Whitman
Pastor of Care & Counseling
Make a Joyful Noise
Have you ever experienced a time of worship when you felt God’s presence alive and real; not only to you but obviously to those around you as well? I recall such a time as this on a mission’s trip in Manila. Thousands of students from the U.S., Korea and multiple other countries had come together to encourage the local churches and proclaim the good news of Jesus. Early in the trip, we all gathered in a massive amphitheater to worship and dedicate the time to the Lord.The crazy thing was that we all spoke a different language! As the music started to play, I was momentarily baffled by what I was hearing. This wasn’t only English ... this was thousands of people worshipping God in their own language. It was utterly beautiful! Could this be a glimpse of eternity?
Ephesians 2:11-17 shows us how God, through the blood of Jesus Christ, intentionally broke down the walls that separated Jew from Gentile for the purpose of building up his church in unity. Jesus came to this earth to offer freedom to all who believe in his name; not just a select race or culture. When we believe this in the depths of our being, it doesn’t matter how we worship or who is worshipping next to us. The natural outpouring of a united community in Christ is a longing to passionately worship together. Worshiping alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ is a demonstration of our deep love for God and our unity in the Spirit.
Romans 15:6-7, in the Voice Translation says: In this unity, you will share one voice as you glorify the one True God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, our Liberating King. So, accept one another in the same way the Anointed has accepted you so that God will get the praise he is due.
Have you ever spent time thinking about how you worship? Does the person next to you who is singing off-key botheryou? Or does it make you smile and cause you to join in singing all the louder, knowing that God loves to hear the praises of his people. Have you ever thought about the privilege of worship — the fact that we not only get to freely study Scripture together, but we also can freely make a joyful noise together, lifting our hearts in worship to the God of the universe?
Father thank you for uniting us, your saints, and for giving us the freedom to worship together. May our voices bring you honor and praise! Amen.
Lynette Fuson
Director of Women’s Ministries
Built to Last
I’ve never been a builder. I’m certainly not a craftsman at any level. Ask my wife, Jo. However, I have long admired homes and buildings crafted by creative minds and hands, with much more patience than me. Our passage today both encourages and admonishes us to be pliable enough to become what Peter (1 Peter 2:5) calls living stones. Without mentioning those exact words, the Apostle Paul is writing to say that our life here has much more value and permanence than we may have imagined. We are being fashioned and built into a living and holy temple in the Lord. The Greek word Paul uses here (naos) means sanctuary or place of worship. We, as God’s people are being fitted together with those saints who have gone before us, including the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. What company to be aligned with in a living sanctuary!
To make it even better, Paul instructs that Jesus Christ himself is the chief cornerstone. A cornerstone is the very first stone placed in a building to ensure the whole structure is right and true. Everything in the entire structure is dependent upon the cornerstone. As a living building, we are designed to continue to grow, but not as single building stones. We are designed to grow together.
Just hours before Jesus went to the cross, he prayed a moving and magnificent prayer recorded in John 17. He prays that we would be one as Jesus and the Father are one. He prays a second time that we would all be one, as the Father and the Son are one. He prays that we wouldn’t just get along, but that we would have the closeness and mindset that Jesus and the Father have. What an amazing and lofty prayer! Paul echoes this prayer asking us to be fitted into one holy sanctuary for worship.
How are you getting along with other believers? Are you willing to be living stone, part of the growing sanctuary of God?
Chip Whitman
Pastor of Care & Counseling
But God ...
Question: What is the common link between these terms?
Strangers - Foundation
Citizens - Cornerstone
Family - Temple
House - Dwelling
Answer: These are the terms used by Paul to describe the togetherness and inclusion experienced by believer ... because of what Christ has done for us. (Ephesians 2:18) Paul is so excited about Gentiles and Jews being united to each other and about all believers being united to God that he grows his word pictures or metaphors from one phrase to the next. Count it below. There are seven sentences in verses 19-22 (New Living Translation) and Paul switches metaphors in each one. The writing builds from the exclusion and isolation of the past to the participation and unification of the present.
“19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22 (NLT)
Different English translations punctuate this passage differently. The King James version separates the verses by using two commas, a semi colon, another comma, another semi colon, a colon, and then a period. Youngs Literal Translation uses nine commas and then a period. The NASB uses seven commas and then a period. The NIV uses four commas and a period in verses 19-20 and then one sentence each for verses 21 and 22.
The way this passage gets punctuated in the English language is interesting but is not Paul’s point. The focus is that believers, whether Gentile or Jew, are connected to God and to each other. There are no outsiders in the familyhousetempledwelling of faith. Every believer is an included and an important part of the Holy Spirit’s life and work.
Take some time today to thank the Lord for the connections we have with believers all over our city, country and planet!
John Riley
Junior High Pastor
Who You Once Were
Do you remember what it was like to live apart from Christ? To be excluded from his family. Do you remember a time before you knew God and his promises? When you live without hope? Do you remember a time before you know Jesus, the one who “is our peace?” A time before you could claim the name “Christian?” For me, that was a very long time ago for me. For that I am very thankful.
How long ago was that for you? When did you learn the truth? Some of you remember the time before clearly. You don’t need to be reminded about those days, in fact, those days may still plague you with feelings of guilt and regret. I pray that God grants you healing and the continual experience of his grace, but at the same time, I also hope that you never forget that this is who you were. Others of you may not remember
a time before knowing Jesus because you trusted him at such an early age. That is a blessing of God’s grace that you should always be thankful for, but (and this is often harder) you need to realize that you too were once lost. It is good to remember that if you didn’t grow up where you did, if you didn’t have the parents you had, if you didn’t have the church or friends that you had, you could have a very different life.
This memory or realization is crucial for how we see ourselves and how we see other people. First, it changes the way we see ourselves. We are not what we used to be. You have been
made new. You were lost, but you no longer are. Second, it changes the way we see others. No matter who you encounter in this world, no matter how lost they might seem, they are a person for whom Christ died. What Ephesians 2 is telling us is that we are now be agents of God’s peace so that we can become “joined together” (v. 21) with those who now seem far off. The reason that we have hope for others is the fact that we were once where they are. If God’s grace can be received by me, it can be received by anyone.
Today, be thankful for the reminder of who you once were. Then go and be an agent of God’s peace by giving grace away.
Josh Rose
Pastor of Adult Ministries
From Walls to One
A number of years ago I had the chance to visit Berlin. It’s a remarkable city, and one of the most prominent tourist attractions is the remains of the wall that used to run through the center of town. I can remember watching the news in 1989 when the wall was destroyed. Even as a young boy, the scene made an impact on me. People who previously weren’t able to pass freely back and forth, were able to traverse and travel without restraint.
The remains of the wall itself were interesting, but more noticeable was the stark contrast between the architecture of buildings on the east and west side. The eastern buildings were bland and utilitarian, while the western buildings had character and artistic flare. It reminded me that in many ways, the wall had created two different groups of people. They had different ideas about the world, different privileges, different ways of expressing themselves, and different expectations. The destruction of the wall made the two, one.
When the gospel infiltrated ancient Rome, it encountered the same type of a situation. There were two groups; Jews andGentiles. They had different ways of worshiping, different gods they revered, different table customs, and different rules for living. These were groups without shortage of animosity. In the temple, there was a wall that prevented Gentiles from entering the temple and they had a policy of putting to death anyone who intruded in an unauthorized and unholy way (Acts 21:27). When Paul announced that Jesus “has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14), there was still much work to be done in creating a new community. The wall that separated Jews and Gentiles might have fallen, but the walls in their hearts still stood.
The gospel is about wall demolition – both between us and God, but also between us and our fellow human beings. Paul cast a vision for this new community when he wrote ... There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28) This was a unique community at the time, nothing like it existed anywhere on earth. The work of Jesus was enough to unite two groups that had previously despised one another and to do away with the categories that previously separated. The wall had fallen and two had become one.
Today, ask Jesus to show you the walls in your heart that still stand. Are they between you and God? Maybe between you and another person? And then spend some time in prayer asking him to do some wall demolition.
Ryan Paulson
Lead Pastor
Immeasurable
We measure our waistlines in inches, we measure bowling balls in pounds, tires in psi, football fields in yards, computersin gigahertz, temperature in degrees, highways in miles, and the stars in light-years. There are many ways to measure, and everything that you have ever seen or touched can be measured in one way or another.
The biggest unit of measurement that I am aware of is the light-year. It is the distance that light travels in a full year. We perceive light as instantaneous, but that is just because it is moving so fast that we can’t notice it. Just for reference, it takes light 1.3 seconds for light to reach the moon, 3.3 minutes to reach Mars, 8.3 minutes to reach the sun, 1.3 hours to reach Saturn, and 5.5 hours to reach Pluto. That means that if you could travel at the speed of light, it would take as long to get to Pluto (3.247 billion miles away) as it does for
us to drive to Phoenix (363 miles away)! All that to say, that light travels FAST! The real speed is 670,616,629 MPH! Which means that in a year, light would travel 5,878,500,000,000 miles (that’s almost 6 trillion!). Now, to understand why we use light-years instead of miles is because the closest star
to our solar system is Proxima Centauri, which is 4.3 light- years away. The furthest galaxy is believed to be 13.39 billion light-years away! If you used miles, we’d be dealing with a number that is 24 digits long. Those numbers are literallyastronomical. It is hard to wrap our brains around figures that are so big, but, and this is the point of all the numbers, we can measure them.
Now back to our text. It says that God’s grace, expressed in kindness toward us through Jesus, is so much and so great that it cannot be measured! There are no numbers that can quantify God’s grace. It is immeasurable. We can measure the universe, but we cannot fathom the measure of God’s grace!
So, how much grace does God provide? So much that it can’t be measured. How wonderful is God’s grace? So wonderful that it is beyond measuring. How many times do you have to mess up before you exhaust his grace? That number is immeasurable. To how many people can God give grace? It is immeasurable.
Spend a moment today just sitting in amazement and the wonder of God’s grace. Then, today, do your best to bring that same grace with you wherever you go. Give away as much as you can. There’s more where that came from.
Josh Rose
Pastor of Adult Ministries