Words have immense power. We can use words to help others, or tear them down. Paul frames these choices in powerful ways as he encourages us to be thoughtful in our relationships.
We will pick up the "Packed" series where we left off in November and continue our journey together through the letter to the Ephesians. The final three chapters are packed with essentials for our travels during this challenging season.
Until Jesus establishes a new heaven and a new earth, we get to participate with him in building the kingdom now - one decision, one act of kindness and love, one act of mercy at a time. This Sunday, we'll look at some of the ways we are doing that at Castle Oaks.
As we begin the New Year together, let's think deeply about what it means to follow Jesus.
A Hope Fulfilled
On this Christmas Eve, we celebrate the birth of Hope. May God give new meaning to the most familiar words of the Christmas narrative for all of us this year.
While our lives are rooted in a specific time in history, our hope is focused on eternity. The beginning of Luke 2 reminds us that history and eternity are connected in important ways.
The stories of Jesus' parents and John's parents continue to intersect. It seems that God is always telling His larger story through our relationships. Mary and Zechariah describe God's past faithfulness to increase our hope in the days to come.
Mary gets word from an angel that her life is about to take an unexpected turn. We can learn so much about hope from her response.
The Christmas story reminds us that hope is crucial to our life in Christ as we walk with each other. But, hope can seem distant, even absent...especially when our circumstances are tough.
The last part of Ephesians 3 includes one of the most profound and powerful prayers in the entire New Testament. Paul's words echo in our current times and connect us to the ancient church, reminding us that we are all in this together and God has already given us everything we need.
The last part of Ephesians 3 includes one of the most profound and powerful prayers in the entire New Testament. Paul's words echo in our current times and connect us to the ancient church, reminding us that we are all in this together and God has already given us everything we need.
There's one more piece to the puzzle as we wrap up our focus on this passage in Ephesians. If we're going to break free from "us & them" thinking, we must embrace grace in new and profound ways.
Do current conflicts come to mind as Paul details the division between the Gentiles and the Jewish people? Us & them, Republicans & Democrats, and so on. The divisions are numerous and deep. Not only does Paul talk about how we are one, he explains the reasons behind our hard-won unity.
Celebrating 20 Years of God's Faithfulness - 20th Anniversary Celebration
Paul describes the immense power of grace as he explains how God has brought together Gentiles and those of Jewish heritage. When we see such stark divisions in our own culture the timely importance of Paul's message is clear: there is no barrier that God cannot dissolve.
Paul describes the immense power of grace as he explains how God has brought together Gentiles and those of Jewish heritage. When we see such stark divisions in our own culture the timely importance of Paul's message is clear: there is no barrier that God cannot dissolve.
Paul explains God's unlimited grace in beautiful language. Some of us have a hard time believing that God loves us in this powerful way. Some of us find it difficult to believe that God loves others with such unconditional love. Understanding both will enable us to love others the way Jesus does.
Dave is a graduate of Denver Seminary with 24 years of pastoral experience. His wife, Angie, works at Denver Seminary in their Doctor of Ministry program. Dave and Angie recently moved back to Denver from Indianapolis and have been worshipping with Castle Oaks since early June. The Wards have two sons in college and a beagle at home.
When Paul writes his letter to the church at Ephesus, he does not waste time in shallow waters. The first 14 verses of Chapter One are filled with rich truths that help shape our faith. Don't miss the beginning of our new series this Sunday.
Sermon from Church in the Park (09.13.20)
As we wrap up this series we learn some crucial lessons about leadership, change, and how our own expectations can often derail us in significant ways.
Have you ever embarked on a self-improvement project? Have you ever become frustrated at your inability to change into a better version of yourself? You are not alone. A second group of Exiles return to the Promised Land under the leadership of a priest named Ezra. The Law takes center stage in the restoration efforts.
For a couple of weeks we will take a break from the exile's return and focus on a couple of chapters from the New Testament that speak to our current circumstances.
For a couple of weeks we will take a break from the exile's return and focus on a couple of chapters from the New Testament that speak to our current circumstances.
We are made for the Garden, and longing for home.
While the exiles are rebuilding the Temple, some dramatic events are unfolding in Persia. God's hand of providence is always at work, even when the odds are stacked against us.
When we have a big project to complete, we usually don't mind a little help. But, when a group of people offer help to the returning exiles, Zerubabbel refuses their offer. What happens after that creates all sorts of problems for the team rebuilding the Temple.
Once the rebuilding of the temple begins, the reactions are quite interesting. Additionally, there is significant opposition to the work. Just when you think we're all on the same team, something goes awry.
When the Exiles come home one of their key tasks is to reconstruct the Temple. The job they had before them is really the same task that is before us. But, translating their efforts into our own lives will require us to see our church with a new and fresh perspective.
